Dental Assistant Salary in Augusta, GA: $45,165 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Augusta, GA earns a median $45,165/year (≈ $21.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Augusta's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.9), that paycheck buys what $49,144 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Augusta, Georgia, can expect a median annual salary of $45,165, reflecting a compelling opportunity within the local job market. The salary range spans from $37,110 at the 10th percentile to $57,614 at the 90th percentile, with specialized roles in oral surgery and orthodontics frequently commanding higher pay. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and showcases how Augusta's environment supports both general and specialized dental practices. While the median salary in Augusta trails the national average of $49,579 by approximately 8.90%, the growing demand for dental assistants is encouraged by a robust 3.14% annual growth rate over the next five years, which presents promising prospects for those entering the field or seeking advancement.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,884 | $18.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,165 | $21.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,579 | $23.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,614 | $27.70 |
Median Salary Position
8.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Augusta
In Augusta, GA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,504 (2026 est.). At $45,165, the local median is 8.9% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Augusta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Augusta Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Augusta median: $45,165/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Augusta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $45,346 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -8.90% less |
Dental Assistants in Augusta, GA earn a median of $45,165 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.90% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.40% below the Georgia state average of $45,346.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Augusta has a cost of living 8.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Augusta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 91.903 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $45,165 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,144 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,190
2025 BLS Actual
$43,790
2026 Current Est.
$45,165
2019–2027 Growth
+18.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Augusta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,165 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,583 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Augusta metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 11.7% from $39,190 (2019) to $43,790 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,583 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,393 (18.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Augusta 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) | $37,110 – $38,884 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,884 – $45,165 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,165 – $48,579 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,579 – $57,614 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Augusta
Focusing on the local job market, Augusta currently employs around 670 dental assistants, making it a significant hub for dental services in Georgia. The cost of living index stands at 91.903, below the national average, which means that while the dental assistant salary in Augusta may be lower than in some areas, the purchasing power in the local economy is more favorable. Among local employers, pediatric dental specialty offices and orthodontic practices may offer more competitive compensation than general practices, particularly under the influence of major dental service organizations like Heartland and Aspen. The disparity in pay within Augusta can also be influenced by factors such as position specialization, additional certifications like EFDA, and roles that combine dental assistance with treatment coordination. To maximize earning potential, aspiring dental assistants should consider obtaining relevant credentials, pursuing job opportunities in higher-paying specialty offices, and staying informed about trends in the DSO landscape as it relates to salary negotiations and job security.
More salary data for Augusta, GA:
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 $43,790 for dental assistantsin the Augusta 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