Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Alabama
The median dental assistant earns $39,080 a year in Alabama ($18.79 an hour), with the middle half earning between $36,190 and $47,100.[1]
25th percentile
$36,190
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$39,080
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$47,100
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $39,080 per year or $18.79/hr at the median. Alabama runs about 19% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Alabama
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental assistants in Alabama earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Alabama hourly | Alabama annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $14.83 | $30,840 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $17.40 | $36,190 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $18.79 | $39,080 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $22.64 | $47,100 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $24.71 | $51,400 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $20.05 | $41,710 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Alabama
3,740
1.77
0.71
How Alabama compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $39,080 in Alabama vs. $48,070 nationally, $8,990 (19%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $30,840 vs. $37,130, 17% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $51,400 vs. $62,250, 17% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 13.2% in Alabama vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Alabama
All 13 Alabama metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | $43,930 | $38,570–$47,960 | 390 |
| Birmingham | $42,050 | $38,220–$49,980 | 1,120 |
| Columbus | $42,050 | $36,710–$49,550 | 260 |
| Decatur | $40,440 | $37,640–$47,010 | 90 |
| Mobile | $38,800 | $36,940–$47,480 | 310 |
| Auburn-Opelika | $38,550 | $35,970–$46,850 | 130 |
| Montgomery | $38,260 | $36,060–$47,260 | 280 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley | $38,220 | $36,720–$47,230 | 260 |
| Tuscaloosa | $38,050 | $35,110–$44,130 | 200 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | $37,170 | $35,160–$45,620 | 120 |
| Anniston-Oxford | $37,060 | $34,970–$43,570 | 80 |
| Dothan | $36,820 | $35,170–$45,040 | 140 |
| Gadsden | $35,690 | $34,880–$43,580 | 70 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Alabama
Alabama's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 13.2% over 2024–2034, from 4,500 to 5,100 jobs, with about 670 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental assistant employment to grow 7% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 53,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dental assistant pay in Alabama
Pay for a dental assistant depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
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Dental Assistant salary in Alabama: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Alabama?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Alabama was $39,080 ($18.79 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $36,190 and $47,100. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $30,840 and the top 10% earned over $51,400.
Do dental assistants in Alabama earn more than the national median?
No. The Alabama median of $39,080 is lower than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $8,990 (19%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Alabama metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 13 Alabama metro areas with published BLS data, Huntsville has the highest median at $43,930 a year. Gadsden has the lowest, at $35,690.
How many dental assistants work in Alabama?
BLS estimates 3,740 dental assistants were employed in Alabama in May 2025. That is 1.77 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.71, meaning the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Alabama?
Alabama's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 13.2% over 2024–2034, from 4,500 to 5,100 jobs. That works out to about 670 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in Alabama?
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Other roles in Alabama
Dental Assistant salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Assistants (31-9091), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Alabama long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants