Dental Assistant salary in Ohio
Dental Assistants in Ohio earn a median of $47,970 a year ($23.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,000 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $48,070. Ohio ranks 24th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.2 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| 25th percentile | $42,660 | $20.51 |
| Median | $47,970 | $23.06 |
| 75th percentile | $59,520 | $28.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,000 | $37.50 |
| Average (mean) | $52,370 | $25.18 |
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 | $3,997.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,998.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,845 |
| Weekly | $922.50 |
| Hourly | $23.06 |
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 Ohio
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,590 | 2,440 |
| Columbus, OH | $48,760 | 2,560 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $48,710 | 840 |
| Akron, OH | $48,230 | 740 |
| Cleveland, OH | $47,800 | 2,540 |
| Toledo, OH | $46,580 | 700 |
| Sandusky, OH | $46,260 | 90 |
| Springfield, OH | $45,660 | 100 |
| Lima, OH | $45,570 | 90 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $45,340 | 400 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $44,610 | 110 |
| Mansfield, OH | $44,410 | 110 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $43,800 | 340 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $43,790 | 60 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $42,660 | 240 |
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 Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $42,810 | $20.58 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,770 | $19.12 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,540 | $21.90 |
| Massage Therapist | $55,990 | $26.92 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $43,620 | $20.97 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,460 | $16.57 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,010 | $18.76 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,820 | $30.68 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Orderly | $37,030 | $17.80 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $38,480 | $18.50 |
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 Ohio?
The median salary for dental assistants in Ohio is $47,970 a year, or $23.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Ohio?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Ohio earn at least $78,000 a year. The top 25% earn $59,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,870 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $42,660 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Ohio?
About 12,150 dental assistants are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.