Dental Assistant Pay

Atlantic City vs Hoboken: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Hoboken, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$50,343
$24.20/hr
Hoboken, NJ
$55,339
$26.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJHoboken, NJ
Median Salary$50,343$55,339
Hourly Rate$24.20$26.61
Entry Level (P10)$41,112$41,600
25th Percentile$45,918$49,815
75th Percentile$61,606$66,633
Top Earner (P90)$63,885$70,641
Total Employed27015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($50,343) and Hoboken ($55,339) dental assistant salaries.Atlantic CityHobokenMedian Salary$50,343$55,339Entry Level (P10)$41,112$41,600Top Earner (P90)$63,885$70,641US Median $49,579

Verdict

Hoboken, NJ offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlantic City.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Hoboken is $4,996 (9.92%). Hoboken's median is +11.62% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $22,773,Hoboken spans $29,041. Hoboken has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$41,112
P25$45,918
Median$50,343
P75$61,606
P90 (Top)$63,885
Hoboken
P10 (Entry)$41,600
P25$49,815
Median$55,339
P75$66,633
P90 (Top)$70,641

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($50,925 effective) pays 6.01% more than Hoboken ($48,037 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $50,343
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $50,925
Hoboken
Nominal: $55,339
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $48,037

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Larger job market (270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,925)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Hoboken if…

  • Higher median salary ($55,339/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($70,641)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Atlantic City grew 14.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.1% growth in Hoboken over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+14.8%

$42,530 (2019) → $48,810 (2025)

Hoboken, NJ

+0.1%

$53,576 (2024) → $53,654 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Atlantic City or Hoboken?

Hoboken has a higher median dental assistant salary at $55,339/year, compared to Atlantic City at $50,343/year — a difference of $4,996 (9.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Hoboken?

Atlantic City dental assistants earn $24.20/hr while Hoboken hygienists earn $26.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Hoboken as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Hoboken. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $50,925, Hoboken = $48,037), job availability (270 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Atlantic City vs Hoboken?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $41,112 in Atlantic City and $41,600 in Hoboken. The Hoboken area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH

Career Analyst

Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.14% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov