Dental Assistant Pay

Buffalo vs Glens Falls: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Buffalo, NY and Glens Falls, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Buffalo, NY
$49,105
$23.61/hr
Glens Falls, NY
$48,548
$23.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuffalo, NYGlens Falls, NY
Median Salary$49,105$48,548
Hourly Rate$23.61$23.34
Entry Level (P10)$41,968$38,512
25th Percentile$48,125$41,700
75th Percentile$50,600$50,745
Top Earner (P90)$58,181$58,542
Total Employed1,230110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buffalo ($49,105) and Glens Falls ($48,548) dental assistant salaries.BuffaloGlens FallsMedian Salary$49,105$48,548Entry Level (P10)$41,968$38,512Top Earner (P90)$58,181$58,542US Median $49,579

Verdict

Buffalo, NY offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Glens Falls.

The salary gap between Buffalo and Glens Falls is $557 (1.15%). Buffalo's median is -0.96% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Buffalo spans $16,213,Glens Falls spans $20,030. Glens Falls has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Buffalo
P10 (Entry)$41,968
P25$48,125
Median$49,105
P75$50,600
P90 (Top)$58,181
Glens Falls
P10 (Entry)$38,512
P25$41,700
Median$48,548
P75$50,745
P90 (Top)$58,542

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Buffalo ($51,234 effective) pays 0.12% more than Glens Falls ($51,175 effective).

Buffalo
Nominal: $49,105
CoL Index: 95.844
Adjusted: $51,234
Glens Falls
Nominal: $48,548
CoL Index: 94.866
Adjusted: $51,175

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Buffalo if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,105/year)
  • Larger job market (1,230 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,234)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Glens Falls if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($58,542)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Buffalo grew 27.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.2% growth in Glens Falls over the same period.

Buffalo, NY

+27.1%

$37,450 (2019) → $47,610 (2025)

Glens Falls, NY

+27.2%

$37,000 (2019) → $47,070 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Buffalo or Glens Falls?

Buffalo has a higher median dental assistant salary at $49,105/year, compared to Glens Falls at $48,548/year — a difference of $557 (1.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buffalo and Glens Falls?

Buffalo dental assistants earn $23.61/hr while Glens Falls hygienists earn $23.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Buffalo to Glens Falls as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buffalo and Glens Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buffalo = $51,234, Glens Falls = $51,175), job availability (1,230 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Buffalo vs Glens Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $41,968 in Buffalo and $38,512 in Glens Falls. The Buffalo area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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