Dental Assistant Pay

New Haven vs Norwich: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between New Haven, CT and Norwich, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Haven, CT
$58,429
$28.10/hr
Norwich, CT
$58,635
$28.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTNorwich, CT
Median Salary$58,429$58,635
Hourly Rate$28.10$28.19
Entry Level (P10)$41,534$48,878
25th Percentile$52,148$51,250
75th Percentile$60,760$60,574
Top Earner (P90)$62,792$62,678
Total Employed530240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($58,429) and Norwich ($58,635) dental assistant salaries.New HavenNorwichMedian Salary$58,429$58,635Entry Level (P10)$41,534$48,878Top Earner (P90)$62,792$62,678US Median $49,579

Verdict

New Haven and Norwich are closely matched on overall dental assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between New Haven and Norwich is $206 (0.35%). Norwich's median is +18.27% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Haven spans $21,258,Norwich spans $13,800. New Haven has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$41,534
P25$52,148
Median$58,429
P75$60,760
P90 (Top)$62,792
Norwich
P10 (Entry)$48,878
P25$51,250
Median$58,635
P75$60,574
P90 (Top)$62,678

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Norwich ($58,375 effective) pays 4.46% more than New Haven ($55,881 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $58,429
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $55,881
Norwich
Nominal: $58,635
CoL Index: 100.445
Adjusted: $58,375

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Haven if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($62,792)
  • Larger job market (530 employed)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Norwich if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,635/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,375)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in New Haven grew 27.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.0% growth in Norwich over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+27.2%

$44,540 (2019) → $56,650 (2025)

Norwich, CT

+18.0%

$48,160 (2019) → $56,850 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: New Haven or Norwich?

Norwich has a higher median dental assistant salary at $58,635/year, compared to New Haven at $58,429/year — a difference of $206 (0.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Haven and Norwich?

New Haven dental assistants earn $28.10/hr while Norwich hygienists earn $28.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Haven to Norwich as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and Norwich. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $55,881, Norwich = $58,375), job availability (530 vs 240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in New Haven vs Norwich?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $41,534 in New Haven and $48,878 in Norwich. The Norwich 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