Dental Assistant salary in New Mexico
Dental Assistants in New Mexico earn a median of $44,400 a year ($21.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,950 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $48,070. New Mexico ranks 44th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.5 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| 25th percentile | $38,300 | $18.41 |
| Median | $44,400 | $21.35 |
| 75th percentile | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,950 | $26.90 |
| Average (mean) | $45,130 | $21.70 |
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 | $3,700 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,850 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,707.69 |
| Weekly | $853.85 |
| Hourly | $21.35 |
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 Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $47,160 | 210 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $44,810 | 1,000 |
| Farmington, NM | $42,400 | 210 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $38,400 | 200 |
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 Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $39,230 | $18.86 |
| Phlebotomist | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $52,170 | $25.08 |
| Massage Therapist | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $36,720 | $17.66 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $28,520 | $13.71 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $31,990 | $15.38 |
| Orderly | $37,650 | $18.10 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 Mexico?
The median salary for dental assistants in New Mexico is $44,400 a year, or $21.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of dental assistants in New Mexico earn at least $55,950 a year. The top 25% earn $47,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,060 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $38,300 or less.
How many dental assistants work in New Mexico?
About 2,150 dental assistants are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.