Dental Assistant salary in Charlottesville, VA
Dental Assistants in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn a median of $45,040 a year ($21.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,000 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 2.4 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Charlottesville, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| 25th percentile | $39,030 | $18.77 |
| Median | $45,040 | $21.65 |
| 75th percentile | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,000 | $27.89 |
| Average (mean) | $46,370 | $22.29 |
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 | $3,753.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,876.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,732.31 |
| Weekly | $866.15 |
| Hourly | $21.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 |
| Roanoke, VA | $45,170 | 300 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $45,110 | 320 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $45,110 | 230 |
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 Charlottesville, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $42,140 | $20.26 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $41,460 | $19.93 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| Phlebotomist | $40,430 | $19.44 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,250 | $18.39 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,140 | $21.22 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $74,010 | $35.58 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $33,850 | $16.27 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $79,770 | $38.35 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville, VA?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Charlottesville, VA metro area is $45,040 a year, or $21.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Charlottesville, VA?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn at least $58,000 a year. The top 25% earn $49,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Charlottesville, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,600 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $39,030 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Charlottesville, VA?
About 280 dental assistants are employed in the Charlottesville, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.