📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Dental Assistant Salary in Virginia (2026)

Virginia · 10.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$50,534
per year
Median
$48,136
per year
Hourly
$24.3
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,187
25th Percentile — Junior$42,485
50th Percentile — Median$48,136
75th Percentile — Senior$58,904
90th Percentile — Top Earners$64,262
💡 Top-earning Dental Assistants in Virginia make up to $64,262 per year. The job market in Virginia is rated very strong, with key industries including Government, Technology, Defense.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$41.9k
2021
$43.5k
2022
$45.2k
2023
$46.9k
2024
$48.7k
2025
$50.5k
2026
📈 Dental Assistant salaries in Virginia have followed the national trend with 3.8% annual growth. The strong demand in Virginia's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
Dental Assistant Salary by City in Virginia
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Virginia Beach $53,061 +5.0% High
Richmond $51,545 +2.0% High
🔍
Dental Assistant Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation

Virginia is home to a very strong job market for Dental Assistants. The state's key industries — Government, Technology, Defense — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $50,534 per year, Virginia's Dental Assistant salaries are 10.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Virginia (index: 1.1) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Virginia can expect to earn $35,187–$42,485, while experienced Dental Assistants can command $58,904–$64,262.

Looking ahead, the Dental Assistant profession in Virginia is projected to grow at 3.8% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Government continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Dental Assistant salary in Virginia is $50,534 per year in 2026, which is 10.0% above the national average of $45,940.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Dental Assistants the highest wages in Virginia due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Virginia has a very strong job market with major industries in Government, Technology, Defense. This makes it one of the better states for Dental Assistant employment.
  • At $50,534/year, Virginia Dental Assistant salaries are 10.0% higher than the national average of $45,940/year.