Dental Assistant salary in Roanoke, VA
Dental Assistants in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn a median of $45,170 a year ($21.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,060 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 3% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $46,670. There are 2.0 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $43,170, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Roanoke, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,120 | $17.37 |
| 25th percentile | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Median | $45,170 | $21.72 |
| 75th percentile | $47,570 | $22.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,060 | $26.95 |
| Average (mean) | $43,170 | $20.75 |
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 | $3,764.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,882.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,737.31 |
| Weekly | $868.65 |
| Hourly | $21.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $47,760 | 1,610 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $47,540 | 8,440 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $46,670 | 1,860 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $46,480 | 120 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $46,310 | 180 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $45,810 | 110 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $45,320 | 170 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $45,110 | 320 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $45,110 | 230 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $45,040 | 280 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Roanoke, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $37,780 | $18.16 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,410 | $17.02 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $46,020 | $22.13 |
| Massage Therapist | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $29,870 | $14.36 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $27,540 | $13.24 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $67,140 | $32.28 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $72,870 | $35.03 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Roanoke, VA
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 Roanoke, VA?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Roanoke, VA metro area is $45,170 a year, or $21.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Roanoke, VA?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn at least $56,060 a year. The top 25% earn $47,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Roanoke, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,120 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $36,800 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Roanoke, VA?
About 300 dental assistants are employed in the Roanoke, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.