Dental Assistant salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Dental Assistants in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $49,590 a year ($23.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,420 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 3% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $47,970. There are 2.2 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| 25th percentile | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| Median | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| 75th percentile | $60,480 | $29.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,420 | $37.22 |
| Average (mean) | $53,990 | $25.96 |
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 | $4,132.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,066.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,907.31 |
| Weekly | $953.65 |
| Hourly | $23.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $52,830 | 160 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $49,100 | 1,500 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $48,970 | 2,200 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $48,950 | 10,490 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $48,920 | 80 |
| Columbus, OH | $48,760 | 2,560 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $48,730 | 190 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $48,710 | 840 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $48,690 | 750 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $48,670 | 630 |
| Kokomo, IN | $48,360 | 140 |
| Akron, OH | $48,230 | 740 |
| Bloomington, IN | $48,170 | 130 |
| Evansville, IN | $48,000 | 300 |
| Cleveland, OH | $47,800 | 2,540 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $47,770 | 360 |
| Columbus, IN | $47,260 | 120 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $46,750 | 190 |
| Toledo, OH | $46,580 | 700 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $46,450 | 110 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $46,410 | 140 |
| Sandusky, OH | $46,260 | 90 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46,050 | 320 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $45,970 | 220 |
| Springfield, OH | $45,660 | 100 |
| Lima, OH | $45,570 | 90 |
| Muncie, IN | $45,500 | 140 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $45,340 | 400 |
| Owensboro, KY | $45,330 | 160 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $44,610 | 110 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,140 | $20.74 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| Massage Therapist | $55,990 | $26.92 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $46,560 | $22.39 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,350 | $19.40 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Orderly | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $67,460 | $32.43 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $36,910 | $17.75 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $49,590 a year, or $23.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $77,420 a year. The top 25% earn $60,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,840 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $46,680 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 2,440 dental assistants are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.