Dental Assistant Pay

New Haven vs Torrington: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

New Haven, CT
$58,429
$28.10/hr
Torrington, CT
$56,828
$27.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTTorrington, CT
Median Salary$58,429$56,828
Hourly Rate$28.10$27.32
Entry Level (P10)$41,534$43,373
25th Percentile$52,148$54,865
75th Percentile$60,760$69,046
Top Earner (P90)$62,792$73,011
Total Employed5309
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($58,429) and Torrington ($56,828) dental assistant salaries.New HavenTorringtonMedian Salary$58,429$56,828Entry Level (P10)$41,534$43,373Top Earner (P90)$62,792$73,011US Median $49,579

Verdict

New Haven, CT offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Torrington.

The salary gap between New Haven and Torrington is $1,601 (2.82%). New Haven's median is +17.85% 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,Torrington spans $29,638. Torrington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$41,534
P25$52,148
Median$58,429
P75$60,760
P90 (Top)$62,792
Torrington
P10 (Entry)$43,373
P25$54,865
Median$56,828
P75$69,046
P90 (Top)$73,011

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($55,881 effective) pays 6.10% more than Torrington ($52,667 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $58,429
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $55,881
Torrington
Nominal: $56,828
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $52,667

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Haven if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,429/year)
  • Larger job market (530 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,881)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Torrington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($73,011)
  • 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 5.0% growth in Torrington over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+27.2%

$44,540 (2019) → $56,650 (2025)

Torrington, CT

+5.0%

$52,472 (2024) → $55,098 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

New Haven has a higher median dental assistant salary at $58,429/year, compared to Torrington at $56,828/year — a difference of $1,601 (2.82%).

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

New Haven dental assistants earn $28.10/hr while Torrington hygienists earn $27.32/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and Torrington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $55,881, Torrington = $52,667), job availability (530 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $41,534 in New Haven and $43,373 in Torrington. The Torrington 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