How Much Does a Dental Assistant Make in Norfolk, VA in 2026?
Typical pay for Dental Assistants in Norfolk, from federal wage data (May 2024), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Virginia.
BLS OES May 2024 · Norfolk
A typical Dental Assistant in Norfolk, Virginia earns $22.42 per hour, or $46,620 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2024). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,885 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $35,930, and the top 10% of earners make over $57,740.
That pay is right at the Virginia figure of $46,670 and 3% below the national figure of $48,070. About 2,070 Dental Assistants work in Norfolk.
Dental Assistant pay in Norfolk at a glance
- Typical pay is $22.42 an hour, or $46,620 a year.
- That is right at the Virginia figure.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $35,930; the top 10% make over $57,740.
BLS OES May 2024
How much does a Dental Assistant make in Norfolk?
Pay in Norfolk runs from entry-level positions at around $17.28 an hour to more than $27.76 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Virginia and national figures.
Dental Assistant pay by career stage in Norfolk
| Career stage | Norfolk | Virginia | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $35,930$17.28 an hour | $37,720$18.14 an hour | $37,130$17.85 an hour |
| First years | $38,480$18.50 an hour | $39,160$18.83 an hour | $44,340$21.32 an hour |
| Typical Dental Assistant | $46,620$22.42 an hour | $46,670$22.44 an hour | $48,070$23.11 an hour |
| Experienced | $47,930$23.04 an hour | $53,040$25.50 an hour | $58,090$27.93 an hour |
| Top 10% | $57,740$27.76 an hour | $58,910$28.32 an hour | $62,250$29.93 an hour |
BLS OES May 2024 (the latest vintage BLS published for this area; state and national columns are May 2025) · city figures cover Norfolk as BLS defines it
How Norfolk compares with other Virginia cities
Richmond pays Dental Assistants the most in Virginia at $47,760 a year, $1,140 more than Norfolk. The lowest-paying area in the state is Charlottesville at $45,040.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Norfolk | Dental Assistants employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond | $47,760 | $22.96 | +2% | 1,610 |
| 2 | Arlington | $47,540 | $22.85 | +2% | 8,440 |
| 3 | Virginia Beach | $46,670 | $22.44 | 0% | 1,860 |
| 4 | Christiansburg metro incl. Radford · Blacksburg | $46,480 | $22.35 | 0% | 120 |
| 5 | Winchester | $46,310 | $22.27 | -1% | 180 |
| 6 | Staunton metro incl. Stuarts Draft | $45,810 | $22.03 | -2% | 110 |
| 7 | Harrisonburg | $45,320 | $21.79 | -3% | 170 |
| 8 | Roanoke | $45,170 | $21.72 | -3% | 300 |
| 9 | Lynchburg | $45,110 | $21.69 | -3% | 230 |
| 10 | Bristol | $45,110 | $21.69 | -3% | 320 |
| 11 | Charlottesville | $45,040 | $21.65 | -3% | 280 |
Every metro area in Virginia with Dental Assistant wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Virginia typical pay $46,670
Is Norfolk a good place to work as a Dental Assistant?
Dental Assistant pay in Norfolk sits close to the national figure: $46,620 a year, 3% below the national rate.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Dental Assistant make in Norfolk, VA?
- A typical Dental Assistant in Norfolk earns $46,620 a year, or $22.42 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2024. Entry-level pay runs about $35,930 and the top 10% earn over $57,740.
- How much does a Dental Assistant make an hour in Norfolk?
- Typical hourly pay for Dental Assistants in Norfolk is $22.42. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $17.28, and the top 10% earn over $27.76 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Dental Assistant in Norfolk?
- Entry-level Dental Assistant positions in Norfolk typically offer around $17.28 an hour, or $35,930 a year.
- Is Dental Assistant pay in Norfolk higher than in the rest of Virginia?
- Norfolk pay is right at the Virginia figure of $46,670 a year. Richmond pays the most in Virginia at $47,760.