Dental Assistant Pay

Biddeford vs Lewiston: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Biddeford, ME and Lewiston, ME. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Biddeford, ME
$46,721
$22.46/hr
Lewiston, ME
$59,460
$28.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBiddeford, MELewiston, ME
Median Salary$46,721$59,460
Hourly Rate$22.46$28.59
Entry Level (P10)$37,104$49,765
25th Percentile$43,153$50,951
75th Percentile$54,295$62,317
Top Earner (P90)$55,830$64,504
Total Employed6100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Biddeford ($46,721) and Lewiston ($59,460) dental assistant salaries.BiddefordLewistonMedian Salary$46,721$59,460Entry Level (P10)$37,104$49,765Top Earner (P90)$55,830$64,504US Median $49,579

Verdict

Lewiston, ME offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Biddeford.

The salary gap between Biddeford and Lewiston is $12,739 (27.27%). Lewiston's median is +19.93% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Biddeford spans $18,726,Lewiston spans $14,739. Biddeford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Biddeford
P10 (Entry)$37,104
P25$43,153
Median$46,721
P75$54,295
P90 (Top)$55,830
Lewiston
P10 (Entry)$49,765
P25$50,951
Median$59,460
P75$62,317
P90 (Top)$64,504

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lewiston ($62,764 effective) pays 33.80% more than Biddeford ($46,909 effective).

Biddeford
Nominal: $46,721
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $46,909
Lewiston
Nominal: $59,460
CoL Index: 94.736
Adjusted: $62,764

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Biddeford if…

  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Lewiston if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,460/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,504)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,764)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Biddeford grew 4.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.5% growth in Lewiston over the same period.

Biddeford, ME

+4.5%

$43,348 (2024) → $45,299 (2025)

Lewiston, ME

+39.5%

$41,330 (2019) → $57,650 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Biddeford or Lewiston?

Lewiston has a higher median dental assistant salary at $59,460/year, compared to Biddeford at $46,721/year — a difference of $12,739 (27.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Biddeford and Lewiston?

Biddeford dental assistants earn $22.46/hr while Lewiston hygienists earn $28.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Biddeford to Lewiston as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Biddeford and Lewiston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Biddeford = $46,909, Lewiston = $62,764), job availability (6 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Biddeford vs Lewiston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,104 in Biddeford and $49,765 in Lewiston. The Lewiston area offers higher starting salaries.
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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