Dental Assistants pay range in Columbus
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $29,900 a year or less, while the top 10% make $55,730 or more. The middle half of dental assistants in Columbus earn between $36,710 and $49,550.
- $30K10th
- $37K25th
- $42KMedian
- $50K75th
- $56K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $42,710 | $3,559 | $20.53 |
| Median | $42,050 | $3,504 | $20.22 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $36,710 | $3,059 | $17.65 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $49,550 | $4,129 | $23.82 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Dental Assistants pay in Columbus vs. Georgia and the U.S.
Dental assistants in Columbus earn 9% less than the Georgia average ($46,870) and 15% less than the U.S. average ($50,200). At the median the gap is -13% against the U.S. median of $48,070.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | $42,710 | $42,050 | $29,900 | $55,730 | 260 |
| Georgia | $46,870 | $46,840 | $36,410 | $57,710 | 10,540 |
| United States | $50,200 | $48,070 | $37,130 | $62,250 | 387,790 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Dental Assistants salary after taxes in Columbus
On the average salary of $42,710, a single filer in Columbus takes home about $35,115 a year, or $2,926 a month and $1,351 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.
The Columbus, GA-AL metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in GA | $35,115 | $2,926 |
| Working in AL | $34,749 | $2,896 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Columbus a good place for dental assistants? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Columbus area are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 89.3), so the average $42,710 buys what about $47,830 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Columbus ($43,540). A typical home costs $209,527, or 4.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Dental Assistants salary in other Georgia cities
Columbus ranks 13th of 14 Georgia metro areas for this job; Atlanta pays the most ($48,520).
- Atlanta$48,520
- Rome$45,900
- Savannah$45,730
- Gainesville$45,470
- Hinesville$44,580
- Athens$44,470
- Brunswick$43,890
- Augusta$43,490
- Warner Robins$43,450
- Columbus$42,710
Highest-paying cities for dental assistants
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($71,150).
- San Jose, CA$71,150
- Minneapolis, MN$67,420
- San Francisco, CA$64,900
- Santa Rosa, CA$62,500
- Rochester, MN$61,860
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Dental Assistants salary in Columbus: questions
How much do dental assistants make an hour in Columbus?
$20.53 an hour on average, and $20.22 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level dental assistants salary in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $29,900 a year and the 25th percentile is $36,710, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the dental assistants take-home pay in Columbus?
About $35,115 a year ($2,926 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $42,710.
Do dental assistants earn more in Columbus than elsewhere?
The average here is 15% less than the U.S. average for this job ($50,200).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 31-9091; area Columbus, GA-AL (17980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.6%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.89, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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