PayByState

Ohio · BLS SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistant salary in Ohio

Median $44,510 · Top 10% earn $55,260+ · Roughly 14,330 workers in Ohio. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Ohio median
$44,510
$21.40/hr
Top 10%
$55,260
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$31,120
Entry-level range
Real pay
$49,621
CoL-adjusted (RPP 89.7)

Ohio pays modestly below the U.S. median for dental assistants — $44,510 versus the national median of $47,350. Ohio's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $2,271 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 14,330 dental assistants.

What drives dental assistant pay in Ohio

Ohio recognizes the EFDA credential, which expands clinical scope and pay. Cleveland and Columbus metro pay above state median.

Ohio ranks #33 of 50 states

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

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

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Education path for Ohio

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 Ohio 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 Ohio selected.

Dental Assistant salary in Ohio — FAQ

What is the average dental assistant salary in Ohio?
The median dental assistant salary in Ohio 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 14,330 people work in this role across the state.
How does Ohio dental assistant pay compare to the national average?
Ohio's median of $44,510 is $2,840 below the U.S. national median of $47,350. After adjusting for Ohio's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 89.7), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $49,621.
Is dental assistant a good career in Ohio?
On the data: Ohio employs roughly 14,330 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 Ohio?
At the Ohio 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

Ohio-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 Ohio's RPP is 89.7 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.