Dental Assistant salary in New York
Dental Assistants in New York earn a median of $48,110 a year ($23.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 19,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,490 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $48,070. New York ranks 23rd of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.0 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,410 | $17.50 |
| 25th percentile | $44,730 | $21.51 |
| Median | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| 75th percentile | $58,630 | $28.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Average (mean) | $49,820 | $23.95 |
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 | $4,009.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,004.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,850.38 |
| Weekly | $925.19 |
| Hourly | $23.13 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Elmira, NY | $49,450 | 40 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $49,120 | 620 |
| Rochester, NY | $48,780 | 1,020 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $48,430 | 20,870 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $48,220 | 970 |
| Ithaca, NY | $48,170 | 100 |
| Kingston, NY | $47,940 | 130 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $47,610 | 1,230 |
| Syracuse, NY | $47,370 | 690 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $47,070 | 110 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $46,560 | 250 |
| Binghamton, NY | $44,840 | 270 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $43,010 | 110 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Phlebotomist | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $44,750 | $21.52 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $57,320 | $27.56 |
| Massage Therapist | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $43,260 | $20.80 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $50,220 | $24.14 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Orderly | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $64,100 | $30.82 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for dental assistants in New York is $48,110 a year, or $23.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in New York?
The top 10% of dental assistants in New York earn at least $60,490 a year. The top 25% earn $58,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,410 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $44,730 or less.
How many dental assistants work in New York?
About 19,800 dental assistants are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.