Dental Assistant salary in Gainesville, FL
Dental Assistants in the Gainesville, FL metro area earn a median of $46,340 a year ($22.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,980 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 3% lower than the Florida statewide median of $47,620. There are 2.9 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $47,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Gainesville, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,470 | $18.01 |
| 25th percentile | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| Median | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| 75th percentile | $48,600 | $23.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,980 | $27.39 |
| Average (mean) | $47,310 | $22.75 |
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 | $3,861.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,930.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,782.31 |
| Weekly | $891.15 |
| Hourly | $22.28 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $46,670 | 580 |
| 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 |
| 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 Gainesville, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $39,100 | $18.80 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $47,420 | $22.80 |
| Massage Therapist | $50,270 | $24.17 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,510 | $17.56 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,990 | $17.79 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,320 | $16.02 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $71,240 | $34.25 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,830 | $17.71 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, FL?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Gainesville, FL metro area is $46,340 a year, or $22.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Gainesville, FL?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Gainesville, FL metro area earn at least $56,980 a year. The top 25% earn $48,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Gainesville, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,470 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $45,330 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Gainesville, FL?
About 440 dental assistants are employed in the Gainesville, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.