Dental Assistant Salary in Atlanta, GA
Dental Assistants in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn a median $47,210 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,286 take-home, or $3,190 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median dental assistant salary in Atlanta, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,485
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,927
- Medicare (1.45%)$685
- Georgia income tax$1,827
- Take-home pay$38,286
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.19% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Dental Assistant pay by experience in Atlanta, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,800 | $18.17 | $31,213 | $2,601 |
| 25th percentile | $45,690 | $21.97 | $37,143 | $3,095 |
| Median (50th) | $47,210 | $22.70 | $38,286 | $3,190 |
| 75th percentile | $56,080 | $26.96 | $44,953 | $3,746 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,780 | $27.78 | $46,230 | $3,853 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $47,210 buys in Atlanta, GA
Prices in Atlanta, GA are 0.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.11× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median dental assistant's $38,286 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,264 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Dental Assistant jobs are about as common in Atlanta, GA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.93).
Best-paying cities for dental assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Atlanta, GA ranks #27 of 36 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis, MN | $72,370 | $56,345 | $53,753 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $74,600 | $57,585 | $52,150 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $62,040 | $52,029 | $46,817 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $64,390 | $51,141 | $44,235 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $58,580 | $46,923 | $43,989 |
| 6 | Portland, OR | $59,890 | $45,891 | $43,531 |
| 7 | Cincinnati, OH | $49,590 | $41,444 | $43,456 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $48,190 | $39,573 | $42,762 |
| 27 | Atlanta, GA | $47,210 | $38,286 | $38,264 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 36 metros →
About the job: dental assistants
Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.4% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Atlanta, GA?
The median dental assistant salary in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $47,210 a year, or about $22.70 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $45,690 and $56,080.
What is a dental assistant’s take-home pay in Atlanta, GA?
On the median $47,210 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $38,286 a year ($3,190 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,827 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Atlanta, GA a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $48,070. Local prices are 0.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,264 would in a typical U.S. city. Atlanta, GA ranks #27 of 36 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a dental assistant afford rent in Atlanta, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Atlanta, GA is $1,646 a month ($1,806 for two bedrooms) — 52% of a median dental assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Atlanta, GA
- Phlebotomist — $49,370
- Medical Assistant — $46,060
- Nursing Assistant — $39,350
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $36,110
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $29,920