How to Become A Dental Assistant in Georgia
Georgia employs approximately 10,540 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,840 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a dental assistant in Georgia, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Georgia
How do I become a dental assistant in Georgia? Georgia requires credentials such as Temporary Dental Hygienist, Dental Hygienist, Volunteer Dental. The licensing authority is the Georgia Board of Dentistry 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 18 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Georgia? Yes. Georgia has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Georgia Board of Dentistry oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Georgia? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Georgia is $46,840 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,410 and experienced professionals can earn $57,710 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Georgia Board of Dentistry
- Median wage (Georgia): $46,840 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Georgia
The Georgia Board of Dentistry oversees dental assistant licensing in Georgia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Temporary Dental Hygienist | Applicant requirements: 18 years of age good moral character graduate from a dental hygiene program accredited by the Joint Commission of the American Dental Association pass the National Board Exam p… |
| Dental Hygienist | Applicant requirements: 18 years of age good moral character graduate from a dental hygiene program accredited by the Joint Commission of the American Dental Association pass the National Board Exam p… |
| Volunteer Dental | Applicant requirement: 18 years or older Official letter(s) of licensure verification for every dental license ever held To obtain a self-query from the NPDB-HIPDB, Must have CPR certification in comp… |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Third-party exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Georgia
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Georgia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Georgia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | 6,700 | $47,210 | $48,520 | $37,800 | $57,780 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 670 | $43,790 | $43,490 | $35,980 | $55,860 |
| Chattanooga | 670 | $46,360 | $48,020 | $37,560 | $60,040 |
| Savannah | 380 | $45,710 | $45,730 | $37,220 | $58,520 |
| Columbus | 260 | $42,050 | $42,710 | $29,900 | $55,730 |
| Gainesville | 220 | $45,850 | $45,470 | $35,610 | $58,370 |
| Macon-Bibb County | 200 | $43,920 | $43,060 | $35,110 | $55,010 |
| Dalton | 180 | $37,530 | $42,880 | $37,060 | $56,150 |
| Warner Robins | 180 | $44,030 | $43,450 | $35,380 | $56,410 |
| Athens-Clarke County | 160 | $43,970 | $44,470 | $36,420 | $55,890 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons | 140 | $43,820 | $43,890 | $35,630 | $55,690 |
| Valdosta | 120 | $43,380 | $42,310 | $34,980 | $48,420 |
| Albany | 110 | $42,820 | $43,310 | $36,230 | $55,180 |
| Rome | 110 | $45,870 | $45,900 | $36,320 | $55,060 |
| Hinesville | 70 | $44,150 | $44,580 | $37,840 | $56,160 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Dental assistants in Georgia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Georgia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | 6,700 | $47,210 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 670 | $43,790 |
| Savannah | 380 | $45,710 |
| Columbus | 260 | $42,050 |
| Gainesville | 220 | $45,850 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Georgia? Georgia currently employs approximately 10,540 dental assistants 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a dental assistant in Georgia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Georgia Board of Dentistry for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Georgia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Georgia.
How much do dental assistants earn in Georgia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Georgia is $46,840, which is $460 below the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Georgia Board of Dentistry - Licensing Information: http://gbp.georgia.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |