Dental Assistant Salary in Jacksonville, FL: $51,848 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Jacksonville, FL earns a median $51,848/year (≈ $24.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 99.5), that paycheck buys what $52,117 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.3% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jacksonville, Florida, dental assistants can expect a median annual salary of $51,848 in 2026, which slightly surpasses the national median of $49,579, reflecting a competitive pay scale for this profession. The salary spectrum ranges from $37,615 at the lowest 10th percentile to $60,780 at the top 90th percentile, providing varied compensation pathways depending on experience, certifications, and specialties. This data stems from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting how dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen have standardized pay scales that create more uniform compensation across practices, contrasting with the potential flexibility of solo practices. With a robust job market—employing approximately 1,850 dental assistants—Jacksonville presents promising opportunities for professionals in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,615 | $18.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,981 | $23.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,848 | $24.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,265 | $28.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,780 | $29.22 |
Median Salary Position
4.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, FL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,165 (2026 est.). At $51,848, the local median is 4.58% above the national median of $49,579.
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At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be above the median
How Jacksonville Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $51,848/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $47,875 | +8.30% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +4.58% more |
Dental Assistants in Jacksonville, FL earn a median of $51,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.58% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 8.30% above the Florida state average of $47,875.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville has a cost of living 0.52% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jacksonville, FL has a cost-of-living index of 99.484 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $51,848 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,117 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,150
2025 BLS Actual
$50,270
2026 Current Est.
$51,848
2019–2027 Growth
+30.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,848 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,477 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 22.2% from $41,150 (2019) to $50,270 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,477 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,327 (29.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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) | $37,615 – $48,981 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,981 – $51,848 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,848 – $60,265 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,265 – $60,780 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Jacksonville
The cost of living in Jacksonville is slightly below the national average, with a CoL index of 99.484, making the local dental assistant pay relatively attractive when considering overall purchasing power. Among employers, specialized practices such as orthodontics and oral surgery tend to offer the highest wages, followed by pediatric offices and general dental groups. The difference in earnings is influenced by various factors, such as the required expertise for specialties, the presence of expanded function dental assistants (EFDAs), and roles that combine treatment coordination with dental assisting. Those looking to maximize their dental assistant salary in Jacksonville should pursue additional certifications through DANB or transition to EFDAs to enhance their qualifications. Engaging with DSOs that offer structured career advancement and mentorship opportunities can further amplify earning potential in this evolving dental landscape.
More salary data for Jacksonville, FL:
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 $50,270 for dental assistantsin the Jacksonville 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