PayByState

Florida · BLS SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistant salary in Florida

Median $44,510 · Top 10% earn $55,260+ · Roughly 25,643 workers in Florida. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Florida median
$44,510
$21.40/hr
Top 10%
$55,260
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$31,120
Entry-level range
Real pay
$44,599
CoL-adjusted (RPP 99.8)

Florida pays modestly below the U.S. median for dental assistants — $44,510 versus the national median of $47,350. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 25,643 dental assistants.

What drives dental assistant pay in Florida

Florida requires expanded function DAs to complete state-approved training. The retiree population drives consistent recall volume.

Florida ranks #31 of 50 states

Where Florida sits in the national distribution for dental assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Florida
#30 Wyoming $44,980 +$470
#29 North Dakota $44,980 +$470
#28 Montana $44,980 +$470
#31 Florida (this page) $44,510 —
#34 North Carolina $44,040 −$470
#35 Nebraska $44,040 −$470
#36 Georgia $43,560 −$950
See all 50 states →

Find Dental Assistant programs near you

We surface accredited programs by state — community college, online, and accelerated. Compare tuition, length, and start dates.

Compare programs

Sponsored. We may earn a commission if you enroll. Prices and availability vary by school and state.

Education path for Florida

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (8–12 mo); on-the-job in some states, taking about 10 months. Tuition ranges from $1,000 (community college) to $12,000 (private accelerated). On the Florida median of $44,510, payback periods are typically 1 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Florida selected.

Dental Assistant salary in Florida — FAQ

What is the average dental assistant salary in Florida?
The median dental assistant salary in Florida is $44,510 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $31,120; the top 10% earn $55,260 or more. About 25,643 people work in this role across the state.
How does Florida dental assistant pay compare to the national average?
Florida's median of $44,510 is $2,840 below the U.S. national median of $47,350. After adjusting for Florida's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 99.8), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $44,599.
Is dental assistant a good career in Florida?
On the data: Florida employs roughly 25,643 dental assistants, with a median wage of $44,510 and the top decile clearing $55,260. The role is projected to grow +7% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental assistants in Florida?
At the Florida median of $44,510 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $21.40/hr. The top 10% earn around $26.57/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $14.96/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Florida-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9091: Dental Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Florida's RPP is 99.8 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.