Dental Assistant Pay

Concord vs Manchester: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Concord, NH and Manchester, NH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Concord, NH
$50,692
$24.37/hr
Manchester, NH
$61,575
$29.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConcord, NHManchester, NH
Median Salary$50,692$61,575
Hourly Rate$24.37$29.60
Entry Level (P10)$41,172$49,218
25th Percentile$47,687$49,868
75th Percentile$61,390$63,080
Top Earner (P90)$65,049$63,328
Total Employed11600
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Concord ($50,692) and Manchester ($61,575) dental assistant salaries.ConcordManchesterMedian Salary$50,692$61,575Entry Level (P10)$41,172$49,218Top Earner (P90)$65,049$63,328US Median $49,579

Verdict

Manchester, NH offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Concord.

The salary gap between Concord and Manchester is $10,883 (21.47%). Manchester's median is +24.20% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Concord spans $23,877,Manchester spans $14,110. Concord has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Concord
P10 (Entry)$41,172
P25$47,687
Median$50,692
P75$61,390
P90 (Top)$65,049
Manchester
P10 (Entry)$49,218
P25$49,868
Median$61,575
P75$63,080
P90 (Top)$63,328

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Manchester ($58,278 effective) pays 23.36% more than Concord ($47,243 effective).

Concord
Nominal: $50,692
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $47,243
Manchester
Nominal: $61,575
CoL Index: 105.657
Adjusted: $58,278

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Concord if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($65,049)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Choose Manchester if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,575/year)
  • Larger job market (600 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,278)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Concord grew 0.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.0% growth in Manchester over the same period.

Concord, NH

+0.1%

$49,078 (2024) → $49,149 (2025)

Manchester, NH

+24.0%

$48,150 (2019) → $59,700 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Concord or Manchester?

Manchester has a higher median dental assistant salary at $61,575/year, compared to Concord at $50,692/year — a difference of $10,883 (21.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Concord and Manchester?

Concord dental assistants earn $24.37/hr while Manchester hygienists earn $29.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Concord to Manchester as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Concord and Manchester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Concord = $47,243, Manchester = $58,278), job availability (11 vs 600 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Concord vs Manchester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $41,172 in Concord and $49,218 in Manchester. The Manchester 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