Dental Assistant Salary in Brookhaven, GA: $45,322 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Brookhaven, GA earns a median $45,322/year (≈ $21.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Brookhaven's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $48,681 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brookhaven, Georgia, dental assistants can expect a median annual salary of $45,322, reflecting local market conditions and influencing factors. The pay scale ranges from approximately $34,041 at the 10th percentile to $60,667 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diversity in compensation depending on experience and specialty. This data is informed by the state-level analysis derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, which suggests that the variations in pay may be significantly influenced by whether professionals work in large DSO chains or smaller solo practices. The choice between the standardized pay structures of chains like Heartland or Aspen and the flexibility often found in private practices can have notable effects on salaries in Brookhaven.
About the Brookhaven Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,041 | $16.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,776 | $19.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,322 | $21.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,540 | $25.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,667 | $29.17 |
Median Salary Position
8.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookhaven
In Brookhaven, GA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,626 (2026 est.). At $45,322, the local median is 8.59% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookhaven: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brookhaven Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Brookhaven median: $45,322/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookhaven Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $49,579 | -8.59% less |
Dental Assistants in Brookhaven, GA earn a median of $45,322 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.59% lower than the national median of $49,579.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookhaven has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brookhaven, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $45,322 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,681 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,638
2025 BLS Actual
$43,942
2026 Current Est.
$45,322
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Brookhaven (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,638 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,644 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,971 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,543 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,942 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,322 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,745 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookhaven metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $36,638 (2019) to $43,942 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,745 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,107 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookhaven 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) | $34,041 – $40,776 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,776 – $45,322 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,322 – $53,540 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,540 – $60,667 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Brookhaven
The local job market shows a small but stable demand for dental assistants, with eight positioned in Brookhaven. The cost of living index stands at 93.1, meaning that while take-home pay may be lower in relation to national averages, the purchasing power remains fairly competitive. Among the various employers, DSO chains tend to offer more structured pay but may fall short for specialized practices, such as those focused on orthodontics or oral surgery, which can command higher wages. Factors contributing to salary variations include the differences in specialization, the presence of expanded function dental assistants (EFDAs), and positions that combine roles like treatment coordinating. To maximize earning potential in Brookhaven, staying informed about credentialing options through organizations like DANB or pursuing pathways from dental assistant to registered dental hygienist can be strategic moves.
More salary data for Brookhaven, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental assistants make $100K in Brookhaven?
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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 $43,942 for dental assistantsin the Brookhaven 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 Brookhaven 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