Dental Assistant Salary in Melbourne, FL: $50,017 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Melbourne, FL earns a median $50,017/year (≈ $24.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Melbourne's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $49,620 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual dental assistant salary in Melbourne, Florida, is $50,017 for 2026, positioning it slightly above the national median of $49,579. Salary estimates reveal a broad range from $38,662 at the 10th percentile to $63,415 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the potential for higher earnings, especially for those specializing in orthodontics or oral surgery. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and factor in local cost adjustments. Given the demand in Melbourne for skilled dental assistants, particularly in specialized roles, there's significant opportunity for individuals entering this field to achieve competitive compensation.
About the Melbourne Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,662 | $18.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,783 | $22.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,017 | $24.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,849 | $28.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,415 | $30.49 |
Median Salary Position
0.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Melbourne
In Melbourne, FL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,753 (2026 est.). At $50,017, the local median is 0.88% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Melbourne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Melbourne Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Melbourne median: $50,017/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Melbourne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $47,863 | +4.50% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +0.88% more |
Dental Assistants in Melbourne, FL earn a median of $50,017 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.88% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 4.50% above the Florida state average of $47,863.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Melbourne has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Melbourne, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,017 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,620 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,434
2025 BLS Actual
$48,494
2026 Current Est.
$50,017
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Melbourne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,434 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,543 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,001 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,215 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,951 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,494 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,017 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,587 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Melbourne metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $40,434 (2019) to $48,494 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,587 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,153 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Melbourne 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) | $38,662 – $45,783 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,783 – $50,017 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,017 – $59,849 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,849 – $63,415 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Melbourne
Employing around 12 dental assistants, the job market in Melbourne remains steady, with opportunities primarily in general dental practices, specialty offices, and chain providers like Heartland and Aspen. With a cost-of-living index of 100.8, living expenses in Melbourne are slightly above the national average, affecting overall purchasing power for dental assistant pay in Melbourne, FL. Specialty practices, especially in orthodontics and oral surgery, tend to offer the highest salaries, driven by the complexity of treatments provided. Factors such as expanded functions, treatment coordinator roles, and the influence of DSO pay scales can create significant variation in earnings. Professional certifications, like EFDA, can also enhance pay potential, enabling assistants to specialize and command better compensation. For those considering a career in this field, networking within these employers and pursuing further education or certifications can significantly maximize earnings in Melbourne's dental landscape.
More salary data for Melbourne, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Melbourne, FL in 2026?
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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 $48,494 for dental assistantsin the Melbourne 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
Salary data for Melbourne is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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