Dental Assistant Salary in Dothan, AL: $37,976 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Dothan, AL earns a median $37,976/year (≈ $18.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Dothan's price level (16% below national, BEA RPP 83.8), that paycheck buys what $45,300 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dothan, Alabama, dental assistants can expect to earn a median annual salary of $37,976, reflecting the growing demand for this role in local dental practices. The salary range for dental assistants spans from $32,314 at the 10th percentile to $47,083 at the 90th percentile, providing insights into the varying levels of compensation based on experience and practice type. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, which capture the essence of the market and provide a reliable snapshot of current trends. Given the robust presence of Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) in the area, such as Heartland and Aspen, newcomers may find more structured pay scales compared to solo practices that can offer more flexibility for experienced professionals seeking specialized roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,314 | $15.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,274 | $17.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,976 | $18.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,454 | $22.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,083 | $22.64 |
Median Salary Position
23.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dothan
In Dothan, AL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,769 (2026 est.). At $37,976, the local median is 23.4% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dothan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dothan Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Dothan median: $37,976/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dothan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $39,435 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -23.40% less |
Dental Assistants in Dothan, AL earn a median of $37,976 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.40% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.70% below the Alabama state average of $39,435.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dothan has a cost of living 16.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dothan, AL has a cost-of-living index of 83.833 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $37,976 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,300 in an average-cost city — an effective 19.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,980
2025 BLS Actual
$36,820
2026 Current Est.
$37,976
2019–2027 Growth
+26.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Dothan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,976 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,169 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dothan metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 18.9% from $30,980 (2019) to $36,820 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,169 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,189 (26.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dothan metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $32,314 – $36,274 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,274 – $37,976 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,976 – $46,454 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,454 – $47,083 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Dothan
Currently, there are approximately 140 dental assistants employed in Dothan, indicating a stable job market for this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 83.833, the purchasing power for dental assistants in the area is relatively favorable compared to national averages. While general dental practices may offer average compensation, pediatric dental and orthodontic practices tend to pay higher rates, particularly where specialized roles apply or expanded function authority allows for increased responsibilities. The disparity in salaries often reflects both the specialty of the practice and the credentials held by dental assistants, such as EFDA or treatment coordinators. To maximize pay in Dothan, pursuing additional certifications and considering positions within DSOs may provide better financial rewards, particularly as the industry evolves and attracts more professionals.
More salary data for Dothan, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH
Career Analyst
Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $36,820 for dental assistantsin the Dothan metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov