Dental Assistant Salary in Florence, AL: $38,337 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Florence, AL earns a median $38,337/year (≈ $18.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Florence's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 84.8), that paycheck buys what $45,200 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Florence, Alabama, can expect a median annual salary of $38,337, reflecting how this market's pay scale differs from national averages. The salary range for these positions in the area spans from $32,138 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $48,517 at the high end (90th percentile), based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This clear disparity in earnings illustrates a distinction between dental support roles in corporate DSO chains versus those in private practices, where flexibility and benefits can vary significantly. The competitive nature of the job market in Florence suggests opportunities for growth, especially as DSO chains continue to expand their presence and influence in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,138 | $15.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,264 | $17.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,337 | $18.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,052 | $22.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,517 | $23.32 |
Median Salary Position
22.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, AL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,379 (2026 est.). At $38,337, the local median is 22.67% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Florence Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Florence median: $38,337/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $39,442 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -22.67% less |
Dental Assistants in Florence, AL earn a median of $38,337 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.67% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.80% below the Alabama state average of $39,442.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence has a cost of living 15.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Florence, AL has a cost-of-living index of 84.817 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $38,337 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,200 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.9% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$32,330
2025 BLS Actual
$37,170
2026 Current Est.
$38,337
2019–2027 Growth
+22.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,337 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,541 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 15.0% from $32,330 (2019) to $37,170 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,541 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,211 (22.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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) | $32,138 – $36,264 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,264 – $38,337 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,337 – $47,052 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,052 – $48,517 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Florence
Florence's job market for dental assistants is robust, with 120 professionals employed in this field. However, those considering positions should keep in mind the cost of living index in the area, which stands at 84.817, indicating a lower affordability threshold than the national average. In this context, general dental practices and DSO chains tend to offer the most competitive pay, particularly when considering potential upward mobility into specialized roles such as treatment coordinators or EFDA positions, which can command significantly higher salaries. Factors influencing the salary spectrum include the type of dental practice, the assistant's level of credentialing, and additional responsibilities that may come with hybrid roles. To maximize income potential in Florence, aspiring dental assistants should focus on gaining further certifications, such as DANB or EFDA, while exploring opportunities to transition into expanding roles within DSO chains or specialty practices.
More salary data for Florence, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Florence, AL in 2026?
Is Florence, AL a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Florence?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Florence?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Florence?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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 $37,170 for dental assistantsin the Florence 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