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Average Dental Assistants Salary in Virginia

Dental Assistants in Virginia earn an average annual salary of $47,900. This figure is marginally lower than the national average of $48,760. Localized demand, the specific needs of the healthcare sector within the state, and regional economic factors contribute to this pay differential.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $47,900 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 7.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $59,920.
  • Outlook: With a substantial local workforce of 11,040 Dental Assistants, Virginia demonstrates a significant presence in this profession. The Location Quotient of 1.12 indicates a concentration of these roles slightly above the national average, suggesting a robust and stable job market with consistent demand for skilled professionals.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$47,900

The average Dental Assistants in Virginia earns-1.8%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$23

Weekly

$921

Monthly

$3,992

Dental Assistants Salary Distribution in Virginia

Career progression for Dental Assistants in Virginia typically involves a salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior Dental Assistants with specialized skills and years of practice can command significantly higher salaries, reflecting the broader percentile gaps seen in the profession.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Resident / New GradClinical rotation complete. Gaining floor experience.10% (Entry)$37,670$18.1
Staff ClinicianFull patient caseload. Proficient in core procedures.25% (Junior)$35,925$17.3
Charge / SeniorShift lead. Precepts new hires. Specialized certification.50% (Median)$46,910$22.6
SpecialistAdvanced degree/cert (e.g., ICU, OR). High acuity cases.75% (Senior)$59,875$28.8
Director / LeadDepartment head or Advanced Practice Provider.90% (Expert)$59,920$28.8

Detailed Dental Assistants Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$47,900

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$47,239

Adjusted for COL (101.4)

The average annual salary of $47,900 in Virginia needs to be considered alongside its Cost of Living Index of 101.4. This index is just slightly above the national average (100), suggesting that while the nominal salary is a bit lower than the national average, the purchasing power for Dental Assistants in Virginia is relatively stable and comparable to the rest of the country.

Job Market Context

11,040

Total Jobs

2.716

Per 1K Jobs

1.12

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.12, Virginia has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Dental Assistants roles compared to the national norm.

A Location Quotient of 1.12 signifies that Dental Assistants are more concentrated in Virginia than the national average. This suggests a healthy job market where demand is at least on par with, if not slightly exceeding, the national rate, making it a potentially favorable environment for job seekers in this field.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Dental Assistants

CitySalaryDist.
Charlottesville, VA Dental Assistants Salary$47,320↓ 1%25 mi
Richmond, VA Dental Assistants Salary$47,900- 0%41 mi
Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA Dental Assistants Salary$44,650↓ 7%56 mi
Harrisonburg, VA Dental Assistants Salary$44,400↓ 7%60 mi
Lynchburg, VA Dental Assistants Salary$44,120↓ 8%61 mi

Comparing salaries near Virginia

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Dental Assistants make in Virginia?

The median annual salary for a Dental Assistants in Virginia is $47,900. This typically ranges from $37,670 for entry-level positions to $59,920 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Virginia is 1.8% lower than the national median of $48,760.

Is Virginia a lucrative place for Dental Assistants?

Yes, with caveats.Virginia offers a competitive salary for Dental Assistants, slightly below the national average but with a cost of living that is also very close to the national average, maintaining good purchasing power.

Is Virginia a good place to live for Dental Assistants?

The Cost of Living Index in Virginia is 101.4. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Virginia?

Some top paying nearby cities include Charlottesville, VA ($47,320) and Richmond, VA.

How does Virginia's average Dental Assistant salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Dental Assistants in Virginia is $47,900, which is slightly lower than the national average of $48,760.

What is the total number of Dental Assistants employed in Virginia?

Virginia employs approximately 11,040 Dental Assistants, indicating a significant presence in the healthcare sector.

Is the concentration of Dental Assistants higher or lower than the national average in Virginia?

Virginia has a Location Quotient of 1.12 for Dental Assistants, meaning the concentration is slightly higher than the national average.

How does the cost of living in Virginia affect the Dental Assistant salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 101.4, Virginia's cost of living is just above the national average, meaning the $47,900 salary offers purchasing power that is very close to the national average.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 11,040 employees in the Virginia area with a job density of 2.716 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Dental Assistants • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Virginia