Dental Assistants Salary in Lakeland, FL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

Median annual salary $44,870 -5.1% vs national
Median hourly $21.57
10th percentile $37,560
90th percentile $57,390
Employed locally 470
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
in
Lakeland, FL
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,560
    25th
    $39,010
    50th (median)
    $44,870
    75th
    $48,180
    90th
    $57,390

    Lakeland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $63,644 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 71% Median Dental Assistants salary is 29% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Dental Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $65,360
    Minnesota $64,630
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $64,600
    Rochester, MN $62,990
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,700
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,620

    Nearby metros — Dental Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Naples-Marco Island, FL $59,520
    North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL $48,760
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $47,940
    Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL $47,500
    Jacksonville, FL $47,480
    South Florida nonmetropolitan area $47,150

    Related occupations in Lakeland, FL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Nursing Assistants $36,080
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $30,870
    Medical Assistants $38,140
    Physical Therapist Assistants $63,700
    Phlebotomists $37,290
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $35,740

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in Lakeland?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Lakeland, FL is $21.57, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.93 or more per hour.

    Is Lakeland above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Lakeland, FL is 5.1% below the national median of $47,300. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Dental Assistants in Lakeland?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $37,560 per year in Lakeland, FL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,010.