Dental Assistant Salary in Palm Beach Gardens, FL: $46,526 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Palm Beach Gardens, FL earns a median $46,526/year (≈ $22.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Palm Beach Gardens's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $46,157 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, can expect a median annual salary of $46,526, which is slightly below the national median of $49,579. The salary range for dental assistants here spans from $36,399 at the lower end (P10) to $59,771 for the top earners (P90). These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. Factors such as specialization in oral surgery or orthodontics can significantly enhance earning potential, as these areas tend to command higher wages. With a growing demand for skilled dental assistants, the competitive market in Palm Beach Gardens offers opportunities for career advancement and specialized training.
About the Palm Beach Gardens Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,399 | $17.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,057 | $20.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,526 | $22.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,142 | $26.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,771 | $28.73 |
Median Salary Position
6.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palm Beach Gardens
In Palm Beach Gardens, FL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,372 (2026 est.). At $46,526, the local median is 6.16% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palm Beach Gardens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palm Beach Gardens Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Palm Beach Gardens median: $46,526/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palm Beach Gardens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $47,867 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -6.16% less |
Dental Assistants in Palm Beach Gardens, FL earn a median of $46,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.16% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.80% below the Florida state average of $47,867.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palm Beach Gardens has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $46,526 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,157 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,612
2025 BLS Actual
$45,110
2026 Current Est.
$46,526
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Palm Beach Gardens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,612 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,644 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,279 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,674 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,136 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,526 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,987 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palm Beach Gardens metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $37,612 (2019) to $45,110 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,987 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,375 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palm Beach Gardens 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) | $36,399 – $43,057 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,057 – $46,526 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,526 – $56,142 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,142 – $59,771 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Palm Beach Gardens
The job market in Palm Beach Gardens currently employs only nine dental assistants, indicating a niche but essential group that may benefit from specialty training and certifications. With a cost-of-living index of 100.8, the financial landscape demands careful budgeting but offers a reasonable standard of living. Employers like heartland DSO chains, pediatric dental offices, and orthodontic practices tend to offer higher pay due to the specialty skills needed. The disparities in pay can be attributed to various factors, such as the importance of expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) credentials and roles that combine duties like treatment coordinating. Pursuing specialized certifications from recognized bodies such as DANB or ADAA can be a strategic way to increase earning potential in the competitive dental assistant pay landscape in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
More salary data for Palm Beach Gardens, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental assistants make $100K in Palm Beach Gardens?
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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 $45,110 for dental assistantsin the Palm Beach Gardens 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 Palm Beach Gardens 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