Dental Assistant salary in Alabama
Dental Assistants in Alabama earn a median of $39,080 a year ($18.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,400 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $48,070. Alabama ranks 48th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 1.8 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $41,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,840 | $14.83 |
| 25th percentile | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| Median | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| 75th percentile | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,400 | $24.71 |
| Average (mean) | $41,710 | $20.05 |
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 | $3,256.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,628.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,503.08 |
| Weekly | $751.54 |
| Hourly | $18.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Assistant salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $43,930 | 390 |
| Birmingham, AL | $42,050 | 1,120 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $42,050 | 260 |
| Decatur, AL | $40,440 | 90 |
| Mobile, AL | $38,800 | 310 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $38,550 | 130 |
| Montgomery, AL | $38,260 | 280 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $38,220 | 260 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $38,050 | 200 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $37,170 | 120 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $37,060 | 80 |
| Dothan, AL | $36,820 | 140 |
| Gadsden, AL | $35,690 | 70 |
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 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $36,100 | $17.35 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,220 | $17.89 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $36,760 | $17.68 |
| Massage Therapist | $48,930 | $23.52 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,260 | $17.44 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Nursing Assistant | $34,140 | $16.41 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $27,840 | $13.39 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,430 | $29.53 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $27,150 | $13.05 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $27,290 | $13.12 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
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 Alabama?
The median salary for dental assistants in Alabama is $39,080 a year, or $18.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Alabama?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Alabama earn at least $51,400 a year. The top 25% earn $47,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,840 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $36,190 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Alabama?
About 3,740 dental assistants are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.