Dental Assistant Salary in Akron, OH: $49,744 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Akron, OH earns a median $49,744/year (≈ $23.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Akron's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $53,276 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Akron, Ohio, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $49,744, slightly higher than the national median of $49,579. This salary range spans from $39,162 at the 10th percentile to $72,941 at the 90th percentile, indicating varied opportunities influenced by factors such as specialty and expanded functions. The robust earning potential for dental assistants in this area can be attributed to Ohio's EFDA (Expanded Function Dental Assistant) regulations, which allow qualified professionals to perform advanced procedures, thereby increasing their value in the dental workforce. These insights are derived from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected into 2026. In a competitive job market, Akron offers strong salary prospects for dental assistants, making it an attractive option for professionals in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,162 | $18.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,908 | $22.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,744 | $23.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,005 | $26.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,941 | $35.07 |
Median Salary Position
0.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Akron
In Akron, OH, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,779 (2026 est.). At $49,744, the local median is 0.33% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Akron: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Akron Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Akron median: $49,744/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Akron Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $47,877 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +0.33% more |
Dental Assistants in Akron, OH earn a median of $49,744 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.33% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 3.90% above the Ohio state average of $47,877.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Akron has a cost of living 6.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Akron, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.37 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $49,744 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,276 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,500
2025 BLS Actual
$48,230
2026 Current Est.
$49,744
2019–2027 Growth
+29.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Akron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,744 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,306 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Akron metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 22.1% from $39,500 (2019) to $48,230 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,306 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,806 (29.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Akron 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) | $39,162 – $46,908 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,908 – $49,744 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,744 – $56,005 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,005 – $72,941 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Akron
With 740 dental assistants currently employed in Akron, the local job market is relatively strong. The area's cost of living index stands at 93.37, below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of dental assistant salaries. Employers in Akron that typically offer higher compensation include specialty practices such as oral surgery and orthodontics, where pay is often greater than in general dentistry. The variation in salaries can also be credited to factors such as the type of practice, the presence of EFDA credentials, and hybrid roles like treatment coordinators within DSO chains. To maximize earning potential in Akron, dental assistants can pursue additional certifications, seek positions in higher-paying specialties, and target employment with large DSO chains, which frequently offer more robust salary structures and benefits while providing pathways for career advancement to roles such as registered dental hygienist (RDH).
More salary data for Akron, OH:
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 $48,230 for dental assistantsin the Akron 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