Dental Assistant Salary in Staunton, VA: $47,248 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Staunton, VA earns a median $47,248/year (≈ $22.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $51,848 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Staunton, Virginia, the 2026 median dental assistant salary is projected to be $47,248, slightly below the national median of $49,579. A significant factor influencing this pay is Virginia's support for expanded function dental assistants (EFDAs), which enables qualified professionals to perform duties that typically command higher rates. The salary range for dental assistants in Staunton reflects this dynamic, with entry-level positions starting around $37,430 and top earners making up to $58,553. These figures are derived from comprehensive surveys and projections conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), providing valuable insight into the local employment market for dental assistants.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,616 | $18.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,248 | $22.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,559 | $23.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,553 | $28.15 |
Median Salary Position
4.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,123 (2026 est.). At $47,248, the local median is 4.7% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Staunton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Staunton Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Staunton median: $47,248/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $49,579 | -4.70% less |
Dental Assistants in Staunton, VA earn a median of $47,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.70% lower than the national median of $49,579.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 91.128 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $47,248 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,848 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,260
2025 BLS Actual
$45,810
2026 Current Est.
$47,248
2019–2027 Growth
+15.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,248 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,732 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 8.4% from $42,260 (2019) to $45,810 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,732 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,472 (15.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $37,430 – $38,616 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,616 – $47,248 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,248 – $49,559 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,559 – $58,553 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Staunton
Currently, Staunton's job market employs approximately 110 dental assistants, a figure indicating a healthy demand in this profession amidst a cost-of-living index that stands at 91.128, suggesting more favorable living conditions compared to the national average. Employers, ranging from general dental practices to the more lucrative specialty offices such as oral surgery and orthodontics, largely dictate compensation levels. Variability in salaries can often be attributed to advanced credentials, with EFDAs commanding higher wages, as well as differing pay structures in dental service organizations (DSOs) that tend to offer standardized pay scales across their locations. To maximize earning potential in Staunton, dental assistants should consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking employment in specialized practices, or taking on hybrid roles that can enhance their responsibilities and, correspondingly, their pay.
More salary data for Staunton, VA:
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 $45,810 for dental assistantsin the Staunton 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