Dental Assistant salary in New Jersey
Dental Assistants in New Jersey earn a median of $49,390 a year ($23.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,990 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,200 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $48,070. New Jersey ranks 15th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.3 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| 25th percentile | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Median | $49,390 | $23.74 |
| 75th percentile | $61,290 | $29.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,200 | $30.87 |
| Average (mean) | $52,940 | $25.45 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,115.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,057.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,899.62 |
| Weekly | $949.81 |
| Hourly | $23.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Assistant salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $57,400 | 470 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $49,570 | 6,510 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $48,810 | 270 |
| Vineland, NJ | $48,790 | 130 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $48,430 | 20,870 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $47,590 | 970 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
Related jobs in New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| Phlebotomist | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,160 | $22.19 |
| Massage Therapist | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $50,280 | $24.18 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,830 | $22.52 |
| Orderly | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $45,780 | $22.01 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $78,440 | $37.71 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in New Jersey?
The median salary for dental assistants in New Jersey is $49,390 a year, or $23.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of dental assistants in New Jersey earn at least $64,200 a year. The top 25% earn $61,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,660 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $45,970 or less.
How many dental assistants work in New Jersey?
About 9,990 dental assistants are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.