Dental Assistant Pay

New York vs Oswego: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

New York, NY
$49,951
$24.02/hr
Oswego, NY
$46,373
$22.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYOswego, NY
Median Salary$49,951$46,373
Hourly Rate$24.02$22.30
Entry Level (P10)$37,553$39,877
25th Percentile$47,145$44,148
75th Percentile$61,884$55,128
Top Earner (P90)$64,751$57,415
Total Employed20,8705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($49,951) and Oswego ($46,373) dental assistant salaries.New YorkOswegoMedian Salary$49,951$46,373Entry Level (P10)$37,553$39,877Top Earner (P90)$64,751$57,415US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New York and Oswego is $3,578 (7.72%). 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 New York spans $27,198,Oswego spans $17,538. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$37,553
P25$47,145
Median$49,951
P75$61,884
P90 (Top)$64,751
Oswego
P10 (Entry)$39,877
P25$44,148
Median$46,373
P75$55,128
P90 (Top)$57,415

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($44,376 effective) pays 10.91% more than Oswego ($40,011 effective).

New York
Nominal: $49,951
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $44,376
Oswego
Nominal: $46,373
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $40,011

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Oswego if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in New York grew 17.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -10.1% growth in Oswego over the same period.

New York, NY

+17.1%

$41,350 (2019) → $48,430 (2025)

Oswego, NY

+-10.1%

$50,001 (2024) → $44,961 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: New York or Oswego?

New York has a higher median dental assistant salary at $49,951/year, compared to Oswego at $46,373/year — a difference of $3,578 (7.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Oswego?

New York dental assistants earn $24.02/hr while Oswego hygienists earn $22.30/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Oswego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $44,376, Oswego = $40,011), job availability (20,870 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,553 in New York and $39,877 in Oswego. The Oswego 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