Dental Assistant Salary in Fairfield, OH: $45,983 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Fairfield, OH earns a median $45,983/year (≈ $22.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Fairfield's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $50,698 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those in the dental assistant profession in Fairfield, Ohio, can anticipate a median annual salary of $45,983, which trails the national median of $49,579 by about 7.25%. The local salary range stretches from $37,887 at the lower end (P10) to $59,584 at the upper tier (P90), offering potential for varying earnings based on experience and specialization. This income estimate reflects local economic conditions, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living factors. As Fairfield’s job market for dental assistants is influenced by specialty practices such as orthodontics and oral surgery, those positions typically command higher wages, underlining the competitive nature of the local dental profession.
About the Fairfield Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,887 | $18.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,691 | $21.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,983 | $22.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,425 | $25.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,584 | $28.64 |
Median Salary Position
7.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairfield
In Fairfield, OH, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,697 (2026 est.). At $45,983, the local median is 7.25% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairfield Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Fairfield median: $45,983/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $47,899 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -7.25% less |
Dental Assistants in Fairfield, OH earn a median of $45,983 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.25% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.00% below the Ohio state average of $47,899.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairfield 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.
Fairfield, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $45,983 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,698 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,173
2025 BLS Actual
$44,583
2026 Current Est.
$45,983
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Fairfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,173 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,193 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,856 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,569 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,164 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,586 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,583 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,983 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,427 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairfield metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $37,173 (2019) to $44,583 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,427 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,254 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfield 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) | $37,887 – $43,691 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,691 – $45,983 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,983 – $53,425 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,425 – $59,584 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Fairfield
Fairfield's job market is currently modest, with only nine dental assistants employed in the area, creating limited competition for positions. The cost of living index sits at 90.7, indicating that residents spend less compared to the national average, enhancing their take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, oral surgery and orthodontic practices tend to provide the highest wages, while pediatric and general dentistry offices follow. Salary disparities arise from factors such as specialty areas, expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) credentials, and the hybrid roles of treatment coordinators. For those seeking to maximize dental assistant pay in Fairfield, pursuing certifications through DANB or obtaining an EFDA credential where allowed can be valuable, as well as exploring opportunities with larger DSO chains that may offer structured pay scales and additional stipends for leadership roles.
More salary data for Fairfield, 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 $44,583 for dental assistantsin the Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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