Dental Assistant Pay

New Brunswick vs Vineland: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between New Brunswick, NJ and Vineland, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Brunswick, NJ
$57,334
$27.57/hr
Vineland, NJ
$50,322
$24.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Brunswick, NJVineland, NJ
Median Salary$57,334$50,322
Hourly Rate$27.57$24.20
Entry Level (P10)$43,483$39,750
25th Percentile$51,854$46,475
75th Percentile$69,321$59,656
Top Earner (P90)$73,591$61,853
Total Employed8130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Brunswick ($57,334) and Vineland ($50,322) dental assistant salaries.New BrunswickVinelandMedian Salary$57,334$50,322Entry Level (P10)$43,483$39,750Top Earner (P90)$73,591$61,853US Median $49,579

Verdict

New Brunswick, NJ offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Vineland.

The salary gap between New Brunswick and Vineland is $7,012 (13.93%). New Brunswick's median is +15.64% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Brunswick spans $30,108,Vineland spans $22,103. New Brunswick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Brunswick
P10 (Entry)$43,483
P25$51,854
Median$57,334
P75$69,321
P90 (Top)$73,591
Vineland
P10 (Entry)$39,750
P25$46,475
Median$50,322
P75$59,656
P90 (Top)$61,853

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vineland ($52,436 effective) pays 5.36% more than New Brunswick ($49,769 effective).

New Brunswick
Nominal: $57,334
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $49,769
Vineland
Nominal: $50,322
CoL Index: 95.968
Adjusted: $52,436

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Brunswick if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,334/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($73,591)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Vineland if…

  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,436)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in New Brunswick grew 0.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -1.8% growth in Vineland over the same period.

New Brunswick, NJ

+0.1%

$55,507 (2024) → $55,589 (2025)

Vineland, NJ

+-1.8%

$49,680 (2019) → $48,790 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: New Brunswick or Vineland?

New Brunswick has a higher median dental assistant salary at $57,334/year, compared to Vineland at $50,322/year — a difference of $7,012 (13.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Brunswick and Vineland?

New Brunswick dental assistants earn $27.57/hr while Vineland hygienists earn $24.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Brunswick to Vineland as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Brunswick and Vineland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Brunswick = $49,769, Vineland = $52,436), job availability (8 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in New Brunswick vs Vineland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $43,483 in New Brunswick and $39,750 in Vineland. The New Brunswick 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