Dental Assistant salary in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
Dental Assistants in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median of $46,670 a year ($22.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 580 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,100 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 2% lower than the Florida statewide median of $47,620. There are 2.2 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| 25th percentile | $44,430 | $21.36 |
| Median | $46,670 | $22.44 |
| 75th percentile | $56,910 | $27.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Average (mean) | $49,060 | $23.59 |
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 | $3,889.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,944.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,795 |
| Weekly | $897.50 |
| Hourly | $22.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in Florida 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $57,260 | 550 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $51,020 | 200 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $50,270 | 1,850 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $48,190 | 1,170 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $47,860 | 9,180 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $47,400 | 800 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $47,180 | 300 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $46,890 | 3,560 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $46,480 | 3,260 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $46,430 | 220 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $46,420 | 180 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $46,420 | 530 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $46,370 | 900 |
| Gainesville, FL | $46,340 | 440 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $46,180 | 550 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | $46,120 | 150 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $45,530 | 670 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $45,330 | 340 |
| Sebring, FL | $45,200 | 90 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $45,140 | 100 |
| Ocala, FL | $44,900 | 370 |
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 Florida statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $41,780 | $20.09 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $38,760 | $18.64 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,950 | $17.28 |
| Massage Therapist | $50,300 | $24.18 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $40,100 | $19.28 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,570 | $16.14 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $66,090 | $31.78 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,160 | $31.81 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
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 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $46,670 a year, or $22.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn at least $58,100 a year. The top 25% earn $56,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,220 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $44,430 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
About 580 dental assistants are employed in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.