Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Georgia
The median dental assistant earns $46,840 a year in Georgia ($22.52 an hour), with the middle half earning between $40,270 and $48,960.[1]
25th percentile
$40,270
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$46,840
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$48,960
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $46,840 per year or $22.52/hr at the median. Georgia runs about 3% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Georgia
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 Georgia earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Georgia hourly | Georgia annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $17.51 | $36,410 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $19.36 | $40,270 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $22.52 | $46,840 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $23.54 | $48,960 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $27.75 | $57,710 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $22.53 | $46,870 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Georgia
10,540
2.16
0.86
How Georgia compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $46,840 in Georgia vs. $48,070 nationally, $1,230 (3%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $36,410 vs. $37,130, 2% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $57,710 vs. $62,250, 7% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 6.9% in Georgia vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Georgia
All 15 Georgia metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | $47,210 | $45,690–$56,080 | 6,700 |
| Chattanooga | $46,360 | $39,390–$56,590 | 670 |
| Rome | $45,870 | $38,660–$50,180 | 110 |
| Gainesville | $45,850 | $38,430–$47,240 | 220 |
| Savannah | $45,710 | $38,350–$47,700 | 380 |
| Hinesville | $44,150 | $39,450–$47,050 | 70 |
| Warner Robins | $44,030 | $36,900–$45,840 | 180 |
| Athens-Clarke County | $43,970 | $37,310–$46,550 | 160 |
| Macon-Bibb County | $43,920 | $36,550–$45,290 | 200 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons | $43,820 | $37,920–$45,140 | 140 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $43,790 | $37,700–$47,100 | 670 |
| Valdosta | $43,380 | $37,660–$46,800 | 120 |
| Albany | $42,820 | $37,640–$46,270 | 110 |
| Columbus | $42,050 | $36,710–$49,550 | 260 |
| Dalton | $37,530 | $37,530–$43,260 | 180 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Georgia
Georgia's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 6.9% over 2024–2034, from 9,730 to 10,400 jobs, with about 1,360 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 Georgia
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.
For dental pros
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Dental Assistant salary in Georgia: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Georgia?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Georgia was $46,840 ($22.52 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $40,270 and $48,960. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $36,410 and the top 10% earned over $57,710.
Do dental assistants in Georgia earn more than the national median?
No. The Georgia median of $46,840 is lower than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $1,230 (3%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Georgia metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 15 Georgia metro areas with published BLS data, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell has the highest median at $47,210 a year. Dalton has the lowest, at $37,530.
How many dental assistants work in Georgia?
BLS estimates 10,540 dental assistants were employed in Georgia in May 2025. That is 2.16 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.86, meaning the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Georgia?
Georgia's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 6.9% over 2024–2034, from 9,730 to 10,400 jobs. That works out to about 1,360 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in Georgia?
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Other roles in Georgia
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, Georgia long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants