Dental Assistant salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Dental Assistants in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $43,970 a year ($21.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,890 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 6% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $46,840. There are 1.7 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $44,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| 25th percentile | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| Median | $43,970 | $21.14 |
| 75th percentile | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,890 | $26.87 |
| Average (mean) | $44,470 | $21.38 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,664.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,832.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,691.15 |
| Weekly | $845.58 |
| Hourly | $21.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $47,210 | 6,700 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $46,360 | 670 |
| Rome, GA | $45,870 | 110 |
| Gainesville, GA | $45,850 | 220 |
| Savannah, GA | $45,710 | 380 |
| Hinesville, GA | $44,150 | 70 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $44,030 | 180 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $43,920 | 200 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $43,820 | 140 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $43,790 | 670 |
| Valdosta, GA | $43,380 | 120 |
| Albany, GA | $42,820 | 110 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $42,050 | 260 |
| Dalton, GA | $37,530 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $38,620 | $18.57 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,020 | $16.36 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Massage Therapist | $73,330 | $35.26 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,600 | $22.89 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $25,190 | $12.11 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $31,540 | $15.16 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $27,900 | $13.41 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,910 | $31.69 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $43,970 a year, or $21.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $55,890 a year. The top 25% earn $46,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,420 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $37,310 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 160 dental assistants are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.