Dental Assistant Salary in Virginia: $49,000 Average

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Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET

Average base salary, Virginia

$49,000 / year

≈ $4,100 per month · $23.56 per hour

LocationOr metro areaOr industry (Grahall)Or city (Grahall)

BLS May 2025 state data for Virginia · median $48,500

25th percentile
$40,500Average
$49,00075th percentile
$55,000

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.

Dental Assistant salary by state

Alabama$43,000

Alaska$57,000

Arizona$52,000

Arkansas$43,500

California$56,500

Colorado$52,000

Connecticut$56,000

Delaware$49,000

District of Columbia$65,500

Florida$50,000

Georgia$48,500

Hawaii$44,500

Idaho$49,000

Illinois$50,500

Indiana$52,000

Iowa$52,000

Kentucky$50,000

Louisiana$44,000

Maine$59,000

Maryland$52,500

Massachusetts$58,500

Michigan$51,500

Minnesota$67,000

Mississippi$44,500

Missouri$48,500

Montana$49,000

Nebraska$48,000

Nevada$47,500

New Hampshire$59,000

New Jersey$55,000

New Mexico$46,500

New York$51,500

North Carolina$53,500

North Dakota$58,500

Ohio$54,000

Oklahoma$46,500

Oregon$62,000

Pennsylvania$52,000

Rhode Island$54,500

South Carolina$49,000

South Dakota$52,000

Tennessee$51,500

Texas$46,500

Utah$42,000

Vermont$56,500

Virginia$49,000

Washington$58,500

West Virginia$42,500

Wisconsin$51,000

Wyoming$45,500

About this role

Dental Assistant is a professional role within the function in the Healthcare Support job family.

Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.

What Dental Assistants do

Typical education: Post-Secondary Certificate

Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
Record treatment information in patient records.
Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.

Top skills: Active Listening Speaking Reading Comprehension Social Perceptiveness Service Orientation Monitoring

Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).

Dental Assistant pay by experience level

Entry level$38,500

Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)

Early career$46,000

A few years in (about the 25th percentile)

Experienced$50,000

Mid-career median pay

Senior$60,000

Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)

Top earners$64,500

Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)

Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.

Job outlook

+6.4%

projected change in jobs, 2024–2034

52,900

projected openings per year

Growing about as fast as average

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.

Dental Assistant salary by industry

Ambulatory Health Care Services

371,580 workers

$52,000

Offices of Dentists

354,900 workers

$52,000

Outpatient Care Centers

8,560 workers

$53,000

Offices of Physicians

7,370 workers

$50,000

Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS

5,870 workers

$58,500

Administrative and Support Services

4,090 workers

$54,000

Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)

3,470 workers

$59,500

Employment Services

3,210 workers

$53,500

Educational Services

3,070 workers

$51,500

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

2,960 workers

$51,500

National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.

How this role compares

Dental Assistant pays 4% above the average across 19 roles in the Healthcare Support job family (family average $50,000).

Similar-paying roles in Healthcare Support

Medical Equipment Preparer$52,500

Medical Assistant$47,500

Phlebotomist$47,000

Occupational Therapy Aide$45,500

Nursing Assistant$44,000

Medical Transcriptionist$43,000

Orderly$42,000

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$41,500

Massage Therapist$66,000

Physical Therapist Aide$37,500

Careers related to Dental Assistant

Dental Hygienist$102,500

Medical Assistant$47,500

Surgical Assistant$75,000

Ophthalmic Medical Technician$48,500

Dental Laboratory Technician$56,000

Endoscopy Technician$52,500

Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Dental Assistant make?

The average base salary for a Dental Assistant in the United States is $52,000 per year, or about $25.00 per hour.

What is the typical salary range?

Pay typically falls between $46,000 and $60,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.

How does this compare with other Healthcare Support roles?

The Healthcare Support job family averages $50,000 across 19 roles tracked by WePayFairly.

Need a defensible market price for this role?
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