Dental Assistant Salary in Athens, OH: $44,423 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Athens, OH earns a median $44,423/year (≈ $21.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Athens's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $48,978 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Athens, Ohio, the anticipated median annual income for dental assistants in 2026 is projected at $44,423. This figure, which reflects local market conditions and regional cost adjustments, positions dental assistant pay in Athens approximately 10.40% lower than the national median of $49,579. The salary range for dental assistants in Athens spans from $36,210 at the 10th percentile to $54,112 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a diverse earning potential within the profession. Enhanced pay may also be driven by Ohio's expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) regulations, which enable dental assistants to undertake more advanced tasks, thereby potentially increasing their value in the job market. The landscape for dental assistants in Athens suggests a stable demand, particularly as new practices emerge and existing clinics expand their services.
About the Athens Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,210 | $17.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,708 | $20.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,423 | $21.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,261 | $25.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,112 | $26.01 |
Median Salary Position
10.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, OH, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,902 (2026 est.). At $44,423, the local median is 10.4% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Athens Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Athens median: $44,423/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $47,870 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -10.40% less |
Dental Assistants in Athens, OH earn a median of $44,423 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.40% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 7.20% below the Ohio state average of $47,870.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $44,423 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,978 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,912
2025 BLS Actual
$43,071
2026 Current Est.
$44,423
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,912 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,898 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,159 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,346 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,071 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,423 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,818 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $35,912 (2019) to $43,071 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,818 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,906 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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) | $36,210 – $41,708 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,708 – $44,423 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,423 – $52,261 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,261 – $54,112 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Athens
Evaluating the local job market, there are currently five dental assistants employed in Athens, contributing to a competitive workforce. The area's cost-of-living index sits at 90.7, indicating that purchasing power is more robust than in many parts of the country, benefiting dental assistants despite the lower salary figures. Employers in Athens that typically offer higher pay include specialty practices like oral surgery and orthodontics, as they require advanced skill sets and often demand EFDA certifications for more complex procedures. Variations in earnings can also arise from roles that blend duties, such as treatment coordinators or positions within dental service organizations (DSOs), which often provide structured pay scales. To maximize their earnings, dental assistants in Athens should consider pursuing EFDA certification, gaining experience in specialty settings, or seeking opportunities in DSO environments, which may offer better upward mobility and compensation tiers.
More salary data for Athens, 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 $43,071 for dental assistantsin the Athens 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 Athens 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