Dental Assistant Pay

Long Beach vs New York: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Long Beach, NY and New York, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Long Beach, NY
$48,739
$23.43/hr
New York, NY
$49,951
$24.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLong Beach, NYNew York, NY
Median Salary$48,739$49,951
Hourly Rate$23.43$24.02
Entry Level (P10)$38,287$37,553
25th Percentile$44,889$47,145
75th Percentile$57,116$61,884
Top Earner (P90)$59,169$64,751
Total Employed720,870
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Long Beach ($48,739) and New York ($49,951) dental assistant salaries.Long BeachNew YorkMedian Salary$48,739$49,951Entry Level (P10)$38,287$37,553Top Earner (P90)$59,169$64,751US Median $49,579

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Long Beach.

The salary gap between Long Beach and New York is $1,212 (2.49%). New York's median is +0.75% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Long Beach spans $20,882,New York spans $27,198. New York has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Long Beach
P10 (Entry)$38,287
P25$44,889
Median$48,739
P75$57,116
P90 (Top)$59,169
New York
P10 (Entry)$37,553
P25$47,145
Median$49,951
P75$61,884
P90 (Top)$64,751

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($44,376 effective) pays 5.52% more than Long Beach ($42,053 effective).

Long Beach
Nominal: $48,739
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $42,053
New York
Nominal: $49,951
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $44,376

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Long Beach if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,951/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,751)
  • Larger job market (20,870 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,376)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Long Beach grew -10.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.1% growth in New York over the same period.

Long Beach, NY

+-10.1%

$52,552 (2024) → $47,255 (2025)

New York, NY

+17.1%

$41,350 (2019) → $48,430 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Long Beach or New York?

New York has a higher median dental assistant salary at $49,951/year, compared to Long Beach at $48,739/year — a difference of $1,212 (2.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Long Beach and New York?

Long Beach dental assistants earn $23.43/hr while New York hygienists earn $24.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Long Beach to New York as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Long Beach and New York. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Long Beach = $42,053, New York = $44,376), job availability (7 vs 20,870 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Long Beach vs New York?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $38,287 in Long Beach and $37,553 in New York. The Long Beach 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