PermanentPosted today
Dental Assistant
PDS Health · Conyers, GA
$18.25–$25.50/ hour
New this week
Dental Assistant jobs in Athens, GA
The median dental assistant pay in the Athens area is $18.35 per hour ($38,170 a year), with the typical range running from $17.39 to $21.97. That ranks 316th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 314th of 339 once local prices are factored in. The free report below lists employers near Athens and what they pay.
- $18.35median pay per hour, Athens
- $17–$22typical range per hour
- 170dental assistants employed in the metro area
- 93cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Dental Assistant pay in Athens, GA
The metro median is 16% below the Georgia statewide median of $21.92 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 170 dental assistants employed in the Athens-Clarke County metro area, 1.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.72).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $16.89 | $35,130 | 26% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $17.39 | $36,170 | 24% below U.S. median |
| Median | $18.35 | $38,170 | 19% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $21.97 | $45,700 | 3% below U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $23.39 | $48,650 | 3% above U.S. median |
How Athens ranks
- 316th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 314th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
- 7th of 12 Georgia metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dental Assistants (SOC 31-9091), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Athens
- Overall prices in Athens-Clarke County run 7% below the U.S. average (index 93.3, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 23% below the U.S. average (index 76.8).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $18.35 median hour buys what $19.66 buys at the national price level, 14% below the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Athens Dental Assistant pay report
Named employers near Athens, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Athens paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$661
- Per year: $33,030
- Per month: $2,752
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Athens-Clarke County metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Open Dental Assistant roles in Georgia
Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Athens as they open.
PermanentPosted yesterday
Dental Assistant
Aspen Dental · Rincon, GA
$18.00–$20.00/ hour
New this week
For youUpdated weekly
110+ more Dental Assistant roles for you in Georgia
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PermanentPosted 2 days ago
Dental Assistant
ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers · Alpharetta, GA
$26.00–$30.00/ hour
Top 25% payNew this week
PermanentPosted 2 days ago
Dental Assistant - Entry Level
Aspen Dental · Cartersville, GA
$18.00–$23.00/ hour
New this week
PermanentPosted 5 days ago
Dental Assistant
Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Fort Stewart, GA
$41k–$53k/ year
New this week
PermanentPosted 9 days ago
Dental Assistant
Aspen Dental · Buford, GA
$21.00–$27.00/ hour
Dental health shortage areas in Clarke County
HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Clarke County (1 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 25 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.
Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.
Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.
Dental Assistant pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Creek, GA | 48 mi | $22.15/hr | 81,167 |
| Stonecrest, GA | 48 mi | $22.15/hr | 61,015 |
| Alpharetta, GA | 52 mi | $22.15/hr | 67,275 |
| Dunwoody, GA | 54 mi | $22.15/hr | 51,795 |
| Brookhaven, GA | 56 mi | $22.15/hr | 59,370 |
| Roswell, GA | 57 mi | $22.15/hr | 92,227 |
Dental Assistant jobs in Georgia · Dental Assistant jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Georgia
State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Georgia requires for your role with the Georgia licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Georgia taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Athens
Athens city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dental assistants make in Athens, GA?
Dental Assistants in the Athens-Clarke County metro area have a median pay of $18.35 per hour, about $38,170 a year. The middle half earn between $17.39 and $21.97 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Athens a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?
Athens-Clarke County ranks 314th of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 316th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 7% below the U.S. average.
Do I need a Georgia license to work in Athens as a dental assistant?
State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Georgia requires for your role with the Georgia licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is Athens in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Clarke County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
Does Valorem Health place dental assistants in Athens?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Athens and across Georgia. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Athens.
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What do employers near Athens pay dental assistants? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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110+ Dental Assistant roles in Georgia, sent free by email
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Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Dental Assistant pay reportAthens, GA · pay published by employers, collected October 15, 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Military Treatment Facilities under DHAFort Gordon, GA · 3 postings$22.52/ hr$20–$55
- PDS HealthConyers, GA · 3 postings$21.62/ hr$17–$26
- Aspen DentalRincon, GA · 20 postings$20.00/ hr$16–$39
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.
2What they are offering now
Low$18Median$20.62High$27
27 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in Georgia, 12 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 27 Dental Assistant roles
- Dental AssistantPermanent$18.25–$25.50/ hour
- Dental AssistantPermanent$18.00–$20.00/ hour
+ 25 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.