Dental Assistant Salary in Toledo, OH: $48,043 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Toledo, OH earns a median $48,043/year (≈ $23.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Toledo's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $52,532 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Toledo, OH, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $48,043, which is slightly below the national median of $49,579. The salary range varies significantly, with lower earners bringing in approximately $38,028 and the highest-paid professionals earning around $78,479. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and reflects the upward influence of Ohio's EFDA (Expanded Function Dental Assistant) regulations, which provide DAs with the authority to perform certain advanced procedures, often leading to higher pay scales. As the dental landscape evolves in Toledo, those possessing EFDA credentials may find themselves in a favorable position to negotiate better salaries and secure more diverse job roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,028 | $18.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,853 | $19.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,043 | $23.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,275 | $28.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,479 | $37.73 |
Median Salary Position
3.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Toledo
In Toledo, OH, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,451 (2026 est.). At $48,043, the local median is 3.1% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Toledo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Toledo Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Toledo median: $48,043/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Toledo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $47,899 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -3.10% less |
Dental Assistants in Toledo, OH earn a median of $48,043 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.10% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.30% above the Ohio state average of $47,899.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Toledo has a cost of living 8.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Toledo, OH has a cost-of-living index of 91.455 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,043 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,532 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,060
2025 BLS Actual
$46,580
2026 Current Est.
$48,043
2019–2027 Growth
+45.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Toledo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,043 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,551 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Toledo metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 36.8% from $34,060 (2019) to $46,580 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,551 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,491 (45.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Toledo 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) | $38,028 – $39,853 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,853 – $48,043 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,043 – $59,275 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,275 – $78,479 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Toledo
The job market for dental assistants in Toledo indicates a stable employment landscape with around 700 professionals currently in the field. With the cost of living index sitting at 91.455, the purchasing power is relatively favorable, allowing dental assistants to stretch their income further than in many areas. Among the various employers, those in specialty practices such as oral surgery and orthodontics tend to offer higher salaries compared to general dental practices. The variation in pay is influenced by factors such as specialty focus, EFDA credentials, and even hybrid roles that combine dental assisting with treatment coordination. To maximize dental assistant pay in Toledo, individuals might consider pursuing additional certifications, aiming for positions in higher-paying specialty offices, or seeking employment with large DSO chains, which often offer competitive pay scales and benefits.
More salary data for Toledo, 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 $46,580 for dental assistantsin the Toledo 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