Dental Assistant salary in Ponce, PR
Dental Assistants in the Ponce, PR metro area earn a median of $30,260 a year ($14.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,040 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 16% lower than the Puerto Rico statewide median of $35,910. There are 3.8 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Ponce, PR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,880 | $11.00 |
| 25th percentile | $26,950 | $12.96 |
| Median | $30,260 | $14.55 |
| 75th percentile | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,040 | $26.46 |
| Average (mean) | $36,290 | $17.45 |
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 | $2,521.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,260.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,163.85 |
| Weekly | $581.92 |
| Hourly | $14.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $36,130 | 2,260 |
| Arecibo, PR | $35,100 | 170 |
| Aguadilla, PR | $35,030 | 180 |
| Mayaguez, PR | $29,330 | 230 |
| Guayama, PR | $26,950 | 60 |
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 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Puerto Rico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ponce, PR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Phlebotomist | $30,320 | $14.58 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $28,030 | $13.47 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Medical Assistant | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $28,350 | $13.63 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Ponce, PR
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 Ponce, PR?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Ponce, PR metro area is $30,260 a year, or $14.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Ponce, PR?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Ponce, PR metro area earn at least $55,040 a year. The top 25% earn $46,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Ponce, PR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,880 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $26,950 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Ponce, PR?
About 240 dental assistants are employed in the Ponce, PR metro area, not counting the self-employed.