Dental Assistant Salary in Winter Park, FL: $47,485 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Winter Park, FL earns a median $47,485/year (≈ $22.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Winter Park's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $47,108 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winter Park, FL, the 2026 projected median annual salary for dental assistants stands at $47,485, reflecting the state's expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) rules that can elevate earnings above general pay rates. With a salary range from $37,784 at the 10th percentile to $60,012 at the 90th percentile, dental assistants in this city can expect varying compensation based on their qualifications and experience. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, highlight the unique position of Winter Park within the broader market. The strength of the local job market, combined with the opportunities presented by EFDA regulations, can significantly impact how much dental assistants make in Winter Park.
About the Winter Park Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,784 | $18.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,485 | $22.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,944 | $27.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,012 | $28.85 |
Median Salary Position
4.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winter Park
In Winter Park, FL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,228 (2026 est.). At $47,485, the local median is 4.22% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winter Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winter Park Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Winter Park median: $47,485/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winter Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $47,868 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -4.22% less |
Dental Assistants in Winter Park, FL earn a median of $47,485 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.22% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.80% below the Florida state average of $47,868.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winter Park has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winter Park, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,485 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,108 — a 0.79% reduction.
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
$38,387
2025 BLS Actual
$46,039
2026 Current Est.
$47,485
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Winter Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,387 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,027 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,926 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,574 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,984 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,039 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,485 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,976 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winter Park metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,387 (2019) to $46,039 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,976 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,589 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winter Park 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) | $37,784 – $44,090 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,090 – $47,485 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,485 – $56,944 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,944 – $60,012 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Winter Park
Considering the local job market, there are currently 7 dental assistants employed in Winter Park, which may seem limited but reflects a stable demand for this role. The cost of living index at 100.8 indicates a slightly above-average cost of living, influencing take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, specialty practices, especially those in orthodontics and oral surgery, typically offer higher wages compared to general dentistry or pediatric offices. The disparity in pay can be attributed to various factors, such as the necessity for specialized training, higher demand for certain clinical skills, and the pay scales set by dental service organization (DSO) chains like Heartland and Aspen. To maximize pay within Winter Park's market, dental assistants should consider obtaining EFDA credentials, pursuing continuous education, or seeking hybrid roles that combine additional responsibilities, which can lead to increased compensation opportunities.
More salary data for Winter Park, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Winter Park, FL in 2026?
Is Winter Park, FL a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Winter Park?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Winter Park?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Winter Park?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 $46,039 for dental assistantsin the Winter Park 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 Winter Park 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