Salary for Dental Assistant in Georgia: 2025 Pay Guide
If you’re thinking about becoming a dental assistant, salary is probably one of the first questions on your mind. The good news? The salary for a dental assistant in Georgia is competitive, with strong demand across Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, and rural Georgia. At Atlanta Pediatric Dental Assistant School (APDAS), we hear this question often from prospective students: “How much can I make once I graduate?”
This guide breaks down the average pay, hourly wage vs. annual salary, city-by-city comparisons, and how certifications like EDDA or Radiation Safety certification can boost your income.
Key Takeaways
- The average salary for a dental assistant in Georgia ranges from $36,270–$58,750 annually.
- Entry-level assistants start around $17 per hour, while experienced assistants in metro areas like Atlanta can earn $28 per hour.
- Specialties such as pediatric dental assistant, orthodontic assistant, and oral surgery assistant often pay more.
- Credentials like Expanded Duties Dental Assistant (EDDA) or Radiation Safety certification typically increase pay.
- Benefits such as overtime pay, bonuses, and health packages improve total compensation.
- APDAS graduates are prepared with the training and credentials Georgia employers want.
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Average Salary for Dental Assistants in Georgia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, 2024), the national median pay for dental assistants is $47,300 annually, or about $22.74 per hour. Georgia is right in line with this:
- Board-approved training is essential for dental assistants in Georgia.
- Annual salary: $36,270–$58,750 statewide
- Hourly wage: $17–$22 starting; up to $28+ for experienced professionals
- Overtime pay & bonuses: Many private practices and corporate dental offices offer extra pay for busy seasons and holiday coverage.
- Benefits package: Health, dental/vision, and 401(k) contributions are common in larger practices.
- Atlanta, GA: $37,300–$59,150
- Augusta: $33,720–$51,460
- Columbus: $29,060–$54,350
- Macon: $35,100–$48,030
- Savannah: $36,640–$54,960
- Expanded Duties Dental Assistant (EDDA): With this certification, you’ll be trained to perform advanced chairside tasks such as monitoring patients under nitrous oxide, applying fluoride and sealants, and taking alginate impressions. Dental offices can bill more services when an EDDA is on staff, which is why salaries for these roles are often several thousand dollars higher per year.
- Radiation Safety:This Georgia Board–approved certification is required in most dental offices for assistants to take X-rays legally. It typically adds $2–$3 more per hour, and in some practices, it’s the difference between being employable and not being considered at all.
- Coronal Polishing:This skill is especially valuable in preventive care and pediatric dentistry. Offices that see a high volume of children often prefer assistants with coronal polishing credentials, making you more competitive for specialized roles.
- Pediatric dental assistant salary: often higher due to specialized skills with kids.
- Orthodontic assistant: closer to the high end of the pay scale, especially in corporate dental offices.
- Oral surgery assistant: surgical settings offer higher hourly wages + overtime pay.
- Private practice vs. corporate dental office: corporate roles often include richer benefits, while private practices may offer higher base wages.
- Graduate in 9 weeks with the skills employers want.
- Train hands-on in a real pediatric dental office.
- Be prepared for certifications that boost pay.
- Get job placement support to land a job fast.
Translation: your total compensation is often higher than what’s listed on job boards.
Read more: How to Become a Dental Assistant in Georgia
How Location Impacts Pay Across Georgia
Where you work in Georgia can make a significant difference in your paycheck as a dental assistant. Urban centers often offer higher salaries to match the cost of living, while smaller cities and rural Georgia may pay less but balance that with lower housing and lifestyle costs. Here’s how the numbers break down:
Salary by City (2025)
| Location | Entry-Level | Experienced |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $37,300 | $59,150 |
| Augusta | $33,720 | $51,460 |
| Columbus | $29,060 | $54,350 |
| Macon | $35,100 | $48,030 |
| Savannah | $36,640 | $54,960 |
*Salary estimates based on data from BLS, as of August 2025.
How Certifications Like EDDA Raise Your Salary
Not all dental assistants earn the same. Your certifications directly affect both your annual salary and your ability to move into higher-paying roles. Employers value assistants who can take on expanded responsibilities, which is why certifications are such a powerful way to increase your income and job security.
Stacking additional certifications as a dental assistant increases your earning power and makes you more hirable. APDAS offers each of these extra courses to support you in your career journey.
Read more: Expanded Duty Dental Assistant Salary Guide 2025
Which Speciality Pays More?
Your choice of specialty and workplace can have a big impact on your paycheck as a dental assistant in Georgia:
If you’re exploring “dental assistant salary near me,” remember that specialty and practice type can be just as influential as location when it comes to pay.
Career Outlook for Dental Assistants in Georgia
The field is growing fast. The BLS projects 8% growth through 2033, and Georgia’s population boom, especially in the Atlanta metro, means strong hiring demand.
Translation: Dental assisting is not just a stable job; it’s a career with long-term growth opportunities.
Read more: Your Occupation Can be More Than Just “a Job”
FAQs
What is the starting salary for a dental assistant in Georgia?
Are there dental assistant programs in Georgia that prepare you quickly?
What is the best dental assistant school Georgia offers for pediatrics?
Why APDAS is the Smart Career Move
Choosing where to train matters just as much as choosing the career itself. At APDAS, our goal is to make the transition into dental assisting both fast and effective, so you can start earning without years of schooling. Students benefit from a program built around real-world needs and employer expectations.
At APDAS, you will:
Conclusion: Salary for Dental Assistant in Georgia
The salary for a dental assistant in Georgia is competitive, especially when paired with certifications and specialty experience. From Atlanta to Augusta, opportunities are strong and growing. With training from APDAS, you can step into a rewarding healthcare career that offers both financial stability and long-term growth.
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Rhea M. Haugseth, DMD maintained a private practice in Marietta, GA from 1982- 2017. She attended the University of Louisville Dental School and completed her pediatric dental residency at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital / Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She is proud to be a Fellow the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy – National Honorary Organizations for Dentists.
Dr. Haugseth is a Past President of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry (SSPD), and the Georgia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry(GaPD). Dr. Haugseth has been a National Spokesperson for the AAPD since 1989 and has been frequently interviewed for radio, print, and national television.
Dr. Haugseth is the Founder (2013) and Director of the Atlanta Pediatric Dental Assistant School in Atlanta Georgia. She is also the Founder (2014) and Director of the Pediatric Dental Team Association. She is committed to pediatric dental team members and continues to develop ways to enhance their knowledge and skills both in and out of the dental office.