Dental Assistant Salary in Mentor, OH: $45,934 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Mentor, OH earns a median $45,934/year (≈ $22.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Mentor's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $50,644 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Mentor, Ohio can expect a median salary of $45,934, which is approximately 7.35% below the national average of $49,579. The salary range for this role in the area spans from $37,769 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $59,428 for those at the top (90th percentile). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data, take into account local economic conditions and cost of living adjustments. As Mentor experiences the influence of both solo practices and large Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland, Aspen, and Pacific Dental, job seekers should consider how these structures affect pay scales and opportunities for growth in their careers.
About the Mentor Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,769 | $18.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,587 | $20.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,934 | $22.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,313 | $25.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,428 | $28.57 |
Median Salary Position
7.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mentor
In Mentor, OH, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,659 (2026 est.). At $45,934, the local median is 7.35% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mentor: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mentor Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Mentor median: $45,934/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mentor Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $47,898 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -7.35% less |
Dental Assistants in Mentor, OH earn a median of $45,934 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.35% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.10% below the Ohio state average of $47,898.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mentor 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.
Mentor, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $45,934 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,644 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,133
2025 BLS Actual
$44,536
2026 Current Est.
$45,934
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Mentor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,133 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,153 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,818 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,525 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,118 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,548 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,536 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,934 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,377 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mentor metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $37,133 (2019) to $44,536 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,377 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,244 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mentor 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) | $37,769 – $43,587 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,587 – $45,934 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,934 – $53,313 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,313 – $59,428 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Mentor
Local demand for dental assistants is highlighted by the employment of 9 individuals in this role, but it's important to consider the cost-of-living index of 90.7 in Mentor, which indicates that the purchasing power for those salaries may differ from other regions. Higher pay is often found in specialized settings, such as pediatric or oral surgery practices, where essential skills and certifications like EFDA can lead to increased earnings. Additionally, hybrid roles that combine dental assisting with treatment coordination may offer lucrative opportunities. To maximize earning potential in Mentor, aspiring dental assistants should seek out advanced training, consider obtaining expanded function credentials, and look into DSO employment, which often comes with structured pay scales and benefits, making them a strong contender for those asking how much do dental assistants make in Mentor.
More salary data for Mentor, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Mentor, OH in 2026?
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Can dental assistants make $100K in Mentor?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Mentor?
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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 $44,536 for dental assistantsin the Mentor 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 Mentor 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