PayByState

Virginia · BLS SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistant salary in Virginia

Median $46,880 · Top 10% earn $59,500+ · Roughly 9,805 workers in Virginia. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Virginia median
$46,880
$22.54/hr
Top 10%
$59,500
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$32,780
Entry-level range
Real pay
$45,961
CoL-adjusted (RPP 102.0)

Virginia pays close to the U.S. median for dental assistants — $46,880 versus the national median of $47,350. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 9,805 dental assistants.

What drives dental assistant pay in Virginia

Virginia pays close to the U.S. median for dental assistants. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

Virginia ranks #22 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Virginia
#19 Delaware $47,820 +$940
#18 Illinois $48,770 +$1,890
#17 Vermont $48,770 +$1,890
#22 Virginia (this page) $46,880 —
#23 Pennsylvania $46,400 −$480
#24 Utah $45,930 −$950
#25 Texas $45,460 −$1,420
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 Virginia

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 Virginia median of $46,880, payback periods are typically 0.8 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 Virginia selected.

Dental Assistant salary in Virginia — FAQ

What is the average dental assistant salary in Virginia?
The median dental assistant salary in Virginia is $46,880 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $32,780; the top 10% earn $59,500 or more. About 9,805 people work in this role across the state.
How does Virginia dental assistant pay compare to the national average?
Virginia's median of $46,880 is $470 below the U.S. national median of $47,350. After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 102.0), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $45,961.
Is dental assistant a good career in Virginia?
On the data: Virginia employs roughly 9,805 dental assistants, with a median wage of $46,880 and the top decile clearing $59,500. 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 Virginia?
At the Virginia median of $46,880 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $22.54/hr. The top 10% earn around $28.61/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $15.76/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Virginia-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 Virginia's RPP is 102.0 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.