Dental Assistant Salary in Frederick, MD: $53,016 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Frederick, MD earns a median $53,016/year (≈ $25.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Frederick's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $48,505 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $53,016 in 2026, dental assistants in Frederick, Maryland enjoy competitive compensation, particularly in comparison to the national median of $49,579. The local salary range spans from $42,264 at the lower end to $70,754 for top earners. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differentials, reflect the evolving dynamics of the dental assistant job market in Frederick. Notably, dental support organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen have standardized pay scales that may influence earnings, contrasting with the flexible pay structures typically seen in solo practices. In this environment, understanding the interplay between type of practice and salary potential becomes crucial for job seekers aiming to maximize their pay.
About the Frederick Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,264 | $20.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,490 | $23.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,016 | $25.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,561 | $31.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,754 | $34.02 |
Median Salary Position
6.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Frederick
In Frederick, MD, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,490 (2026 est.). At $53,016, the local median is 6.93% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Frederick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Frederick Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Frederick median: $53,016/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Frederick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $54,209 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +6.93% more |
Dental Assistants in Frederick, MD earn a median of $53,016 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.93% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 2.20% below the Maryland state average of $54,209.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Frederick has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Frederick, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,016 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,505 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,858
2025 BLS Actual
$51,402
2026 Current Est.
$53,016
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Frederick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,858 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,034 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,927 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,766 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,326 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,402 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,016 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,681 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Frederick metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $42,858 (2019) to $51,402 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,681 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,823 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Frederick 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) | $42,264 – $49,490 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,490 – $53,016 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,016 – $65,561 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,561 – $70,754 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Frederick
Despite only 15 dental assistants currently employed in the region, several factors contribute to the local job market's strength. The cost of living in Frederick, with an index of 109.3, slightly exceeds the national average, impacting take-home pay for dental assistants in the area. Among the various employers, dental practices located in specialty fields, such as orthodontics and oral surgery, tend to offer the most competitive compensation. The discrepancy in salaries often reflects the complexity of procedures associated with these roles, as well as additional credentials like EFDA, which can lead to pay increases of 25-40%. To maximize salary potential in Frederick, dental assistants should consider diversifying their skills, pursuing certifications offered by organizations like DANB, and seeking roles within DSOs where structured advancement can enhance earning opportunities.
More salary data for Frederick, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Frederick, MD in 2026?
Is Frederick, MD a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Frederick?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Frederick?
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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 $51,402 for dental assistantsin the Frederick 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 Frederick 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