Dental Assistant Pay

Dental Assistant Salary in Odenton, MD: $52,163 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Odenton, MD earns a median $52,163/year (≈ $25.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Odenton's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $47,725 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Maryland state average.

$52,163
Median Annual Salary
$25.07/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$43,007
Entry Level (P10)
$66,102
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Assistant Salary in Odenton, MD — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Odenton, MD dental assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, dental assistants in Odenton, Maryland, can expect a median annual salary of $52,163, which reflects a competitive standing when compared to the national median of $49,579. The local salary range varies significantly, with the lowest earners at $43,007 and the top 10% making up to $66,102. These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations that influence pay scales. Much of the compensation trends in Odenton can be attributed to the differences between employment in dental service organizations (DSOs) and solo dental practices; while DSOs like Heartland and Aspen often provide standardized pay, solo practices may offer more flexibility and potentially higher earnings for skilled dental assistants willing to adapt to varied roles within a smaller team.

About the Odenton Market

Salary estimated from Maryland average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$43,007$20.68
Lower Range (P25)$49,705$23.90
Median (P50)(typical)$52,163$25.07
Upper Range (P75)$62,663$30.13
Top Earners (P90)$66,102$31.78

Median Salary Position

$43,007$66,102
City Median: $52,163
National: $49,579
P10–P90 Range

5.21% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Odenton

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dental assistants in Odenton. The median salary is $52,163, compared to the national median of $49,579.$38.7K$46.4K$54.1K$61.7K$69.4K$43.0K10th Pctl$49.7K25th Pctl$52.2KMedian$62.7K75th Pctl$66.1K90th PctlUS Median$49.6K

In Odenton, MD, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,095 (2026 est.). At $52,163, the local median is 5.21% above the national median of $49,579.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of dental assistant pay in the Odenton metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,003
per week
$4,346
per month
$52,153
per year

At 40 hours/week in Odenton: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Odenton Dental Assistant Pay Compares

Odenton median: $52,163/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryOdenton Pays
Maryland Average$54,167-3.70% less
National Average$49,579+5.21% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental assistant median salary in Odenton ($52,163) with Maryland average ($54,167) and the US national median ($49,579).Odenton$52,163Maryland Avg$54,167-3.70%US National$49,579+5.21%

Dental Assistants in Odenton, MD earn a median of $52,163 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.21% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 3.70% below the Maryland state average of $54,167.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$52,163
Nominal Salary
109.3
CoL Index
$47,725
Adjusted Salary

Odenton has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $52,163. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 109.3, the purchasing-power equivalent is $47,725, a loss of $4,438.$40.6K$45.4K$50.3K$55.1K$60.0K$52,163NominalSalary$47,725CoL Adjusted(CoL: 109.3) -8.51%US Median $49.6K

Odenton, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,163 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,725 — a 8.51% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$42,169

2025 BLS Actual

$50,575

2026 Current Est.

$52,163

2019–2027 Growth

+27.6%

Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Odenton (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for dental assistants in Odenton. Baseline $42,169 in 2025, projected to $53,801 by 2027.$38.0K$42.6K$47.2K$51.8K$56.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$42.2K$43.3K$40.7K$47.2K$49.0K$50.5K$50.6K$52.2K$53.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$42,169Actual
2020$43,326Actual
2021$40,675Actual
2022$47,156Actual
2023$48,965Actual
2024$50,501Actual
2025$50,575Actual
2026(current)$52,163Estimated
2027$53,801Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Odenton metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $42,169 (2019) to $50,575 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,801 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,632 (27.58%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Odenton metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$43,007$49,705
3-5 years (Mid Career)$49,705$52,163
5+ years (Experienced)$52,163$62,663
10+ years (Top Earner)$62,663$66,102

DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Dental Assistant Job Market in Odenton

The local job market features nine dental assistants currently employed in Odenton, which suggests a modest but stable demand for this essential role. Considering the cost of living index at 109.3, which is slightly above the national average, take-home pay in Odenton may require careful budgeting. Dental practices in the area that typically offer the highest salaries include orthodontic and oral surgery offices, where specialized skills are rewarded more generously. Factors contributing to the pay scale include the nature of the dental practice, certifications such as EFDA, and the potential for taking on additional responsibilities, like treatment coordination or mentoring newer dental assistants. To maximize earning potential in Odenton, pursuing expanded function credentials and exploring opportunities within more lucrative specialty practices can be beneficial strategies in a competitive environment shaped by DSO consolidation and evolving job roles within the dental field.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dental assistants make in Odenton, MD in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median dental assistant salary in Odenton is $52,163/year ($25.07/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.14% annual growth). Salaries range from $43,007 at entry level (10th percentile) to $66,102 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Odenton at 5.2% above the national median. Full-time dental assistants typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Odenton, MD a good place to work as a dental assistant?

Odenton dental assistant salaries are 5.2% above the national average and 3.7% below the Maryland state average. The metro area employs approximately 9 dental assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 109.3, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can dental assistants make $100K in Odenton?

The median dental assistant salary in Odenton is $52,163, and the 90th percentile earns $66,102. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Odenton?

After adjusting for Odenton's cost-of-living index of 109.3 (where 100 equals the national average), the $52,163 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $47,725 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Odenton reduce the effective value of your salary by 8.5% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Odenton?

Dental Assistants in Odenton earn a median hourly rate of $25.07, which translates to approximately $52,163/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $20.68 for entry-level positions to $31.78 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem dental assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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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.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

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 $50,575 for dental assistantsin the Odenton 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 Odenton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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