Dental Assistant Salary in Virginia Beach, VA: $48,135 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Virginia Beach, VA earns a median $48,135/year (≈ $23.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Virginia Beach's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $49,147 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Virginia Beach, the projected median annual dental assistant salary for 2026 stands at $48,135, slightly below the national median of $49,579. The salary range for dental assistants in the area varies significantly, from $38,430 at the 10th percentile to $60,337 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the opportunities available in specialty practices such as orthodontics and oral surgery. With insights drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these numbers indicate that dental assistants can enhance their earnings by pursuing specialized credentials and roles within dental support organizations (DSOs). As the local market continues to grow at an annual rate of 3.14%, professionals in Virginia Beach can expect competitive compensation, especially as demand for dental services rises.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,430 | $18.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,245 | $19.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,135 | $23.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,706 | $27.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,337 | $29.00 |
Median Salary Position
2.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Virginia Beach
In Virginia Beach, VA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,907 (2026 est.). At $48,135, the local median is 2.91% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Virginia Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Virginia Beach Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Virginia Beach median: $48,135/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Virginia Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $47,238 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -2.91% less |
Dental Assistants in Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $48,135 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.91% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.90% above the Virginia state average of $47,238.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Virginia Beach has a cost of living 2.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Virginia Beach, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.941 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,135 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,147 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,920
2025 BLS Actual
$46,670
2026 Current Est.
$48,135
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,135 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,647 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,920 (2019) to $46,670 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,647 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,727 (27.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach 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) | $38,430 – $40,245 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,245 – $48,135 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,135 – $56,706 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,706 – $60,337 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Virginia Beach
The current job market in Virginia Beach is robust, with approximately 1,860 dental assistants employed, reflecting the community's ongoing need for dental care. The cost-of-living index in the area is registered at 97.941, which indicates a slightly lower expense compared to the national average, thus improving purchasing power for dental assistants. Employers that typically offer higher pay include dental practices specializing in oral surgery and orthodontics, as well as leading DSO chains like Heartland, Aspen, and Pacific Dental. Factors influencing salary disparities encompass specialization, such as the higher earnings for orthodontic roles compared to general dentistry, and credentialing for expanded function positions where permitted. To maximize pay, dental assistants should consider obtaining relevant certifications through DANB or pursuing the EFDA license if eligible, as well as seeking positions that offer lead or mentor stipends. These strategies can effectively elevate their earnings in the Virginia Beach market.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, 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 $46,670 for dental assistantsin the Virginia Beach 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