Dental Assistant salary in Virginia
Dental Assistants in Virginia earn a median of $46,670 a year ($22.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,760 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,910 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $48,070. Virginia ranks 36th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.6 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $47,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,720 | $18.14 |
| 25th percentile | $39,160 | $18.83 |
| Median | $46,670 | $22.44 |
| 75th percentile | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,910 | $28.32 |
| Average (mean) | $47,490 | $22.83 |
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 | $3,889.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,944.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,795 |
| Weekly | $897.50 |
| Hourly | $22.44 |
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 Virginia
| 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 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $45,040 | 280 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $44,740 | $21.51 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,450 | $18.01 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| Massage Therapist | $62,220 | $29.91 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $46,060 | $22.14 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,580 | $22.40 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,200 | $20.77 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $73,760 | $35.46 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $33,390 | $16.05 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $74,960 | $36.04 |
| Orderly | $36,960 | $17.77 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for dental assistants in Virginia is $46,670 a year, or $22.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Virginia?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Virginia earn at least $58,910 a year. The top 25% earn $53,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,720 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $39,160 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Virginia?
About 10,760 dental assistants are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.