Dental Assistant Salary in Parma, OH: $48,261 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Parma, OH earns a median $48,261/year (≈ $23.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Parma's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $53,209 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the estimated dental assistant salary in Parma, OH, reaches a median of $48,261, slightly below the national average of $49,579. This local figure highlights the competitive nature of the job market, which offers a salary range from $36,928 at the 10th percentile to $60,595 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living, which in Parma sits below the national average at an index score of 90.7. The variation in compensation reflects the evolving landscape of employment options available, particularly the difference between working for DSO chains, like Heartland and Aspen, versus private solo practices where salary flexibility may be greater.
About the Parma Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,928 | $17.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,893 | $21.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,261 | $23.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,541 | $27.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,595 | $29.14 |
Median Salary Position
2.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Parma
In Parma, OH, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,667 (2026 est.). At $48,261, the local median is 2.66% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Parma: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Parma Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Parma median: $48,261/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Parma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $47,878 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -2.66% less |
Dental Assistants in Parma, OH earn a median of $48,261 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.66% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.80% above the Ohio state average of $47,878.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Parma 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.
Parma, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,261 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,209 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,014
2025 BLS Actual
$46,792
2026 Current Est.
$48,261
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Parma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,014 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,085 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,632 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,628 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,303 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,399 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,792 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,261 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,777 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Parma metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $39,014 (2019) to $46,792 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,777 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,763 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Parma 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) | $36,928 – $43,893 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,893 – $48,261 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,261 – $57,541 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,541 – $60,595 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Parma
Currently, Parma employs 12 dental assistants, indicating a relatively stable job market despite the lower-than-average salaries. The cost of living index of 90.7 suggests that while salaries are modest, take-home purchasing power may stretch further than in higher-cost areas. Primarily, dental assistants in specialized practices—such as orthodontics or oral surgery—tend to command higher wages compared to their counterparts in general practices. Factors influencing salary variations include credentials such as EFDA, positions in treatment coordination, and job roles that involve mentoring. To maximize earning potential in Parma, pursuing expanded functions or certifications from DANB could be advantageous, as could seeking employment in DSO chains that offer structured pay scales. Emphasizing skills that align with the growing trend of DSO consolidation may provide dental assistants with additional leverage in negotiating salaries.
More salary data for Parma, 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 $46,792 for dental assistantsin the Parma 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 Parma 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