GA · Columbus · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Assistant jobs in Columbus, GA

Pay for dental assistants in the Columbus area centers on $18.22 per hour, or about $37,890 a year. The lower quarter earns under $16.62 and the upper quarter over $22.95. That ranks 322nd of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 281st of 339 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Columbus. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Columbus.

Open Dental Assistant roles in Columbus

PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Dental Assistant

Aspen Dental · Columbus, GA

$17.00–$20.00/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-008947
View role

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Dental Assistant pay in Columbus, GA

The metro median is 17% below the Georgia statewide median of $21.92 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 290 dental assistants employed in the Columbus metro area, 2.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.04).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$13.97$29,06039% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$16.62$34,57027% below U.S. median
Median$18.22$37,89020% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$22.95$47,7401% above U.S. median
Top 10%$26.13$54,35015% above U.S. median

How Columbus ranks

  • 322nd of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 281st of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 9th 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 Columbus

  • Overall prices in Columbus run 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.3, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 39% below the U.S. average (index 61.2).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $18.22 median hour buys what $20.40 buys at the national price level, 10% 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.

Estimate your Columbus paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$656
  • Per year: $32,796
  • Per month: $2,733

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Columbus metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Dental health shortage areas in Muscogee County

HRSA lists 2 active dental health shortage designations that include Muscogee County (1 population-group, 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

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Auburn, AL37 mi$17.29/hr83,757
Warner Robins, GA71 mi$18.58/hr86,199
Macon, GA72 mi$17.66/hr157,056
Albany, GA76 mi$17.85/hr66,705
South Fulton, GA80 mi$22.15/hr112,003
Montgomery, AL82 mi$17.47/hr195,818

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.

Georgia state guide

Other healthcare roles in Columbus

Columbus city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental assistants make in Columbus, GA?

Dental Assistants in the Columbus metro area have a median pay of $18.22 per hour, about $37,890 a year. The middle half earn between $16.62 and $22.95 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Columbus a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?

Columbus ranks 281st of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 322nd of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring dental assistants in Columbus?

We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Columbus. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Columbus.

Do I need a Georgia license to work in Columbus 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 Columbus in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 2 active dental health shortage designations that include Muscogee 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 Columbus?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Columbus and across Georgia. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Columbus.

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What do employers near Columbus pay dental assistants? Get the report.

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    Pay for your role at other employers

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Pay report · Dental Assistant near Columbus, GA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dental Assistant pay reportColumbus, 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

  1. Dental AssistantPermanent
    $18.25–$25.50/ hour
    PDS Health · Conyers, GA · posted today
  2. Dental AssistantPermanent
    $18.00–$20.00/ hour
    Aspen Dental · Rincon, GA · posted yesterday

+ 25 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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