Dental Assistant Pay

Warwick vs Woonsocket: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Warwick, RI and Woonsocket, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Warwick, RI
$52,048
$25.02/hr
Woonsocket, RI
$48,164
$23.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricWarwick, RIWoonsocket, RI
Median Salary$52,048$48,164
Hourly Rate$25.02$23.15
Entry Level (P10)$39,786$40,244
25th Percentile$47,467$46,140
75th Percentile$63,244$56,289
Top Earner (P90)$67,597$61,424
Total Employed169
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Warwick ($52,048) and Woonsocket ($48,164) dental assistant salaries.WarwickWoonsocketMedian Salary$52,048$48,164Entry Level (P10)$39,786$40,244Top Earner (P90)$67,597$61,424US Median $49,579

Verdict

Warwick, RI offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Woonsocket.

The salary gap between Warwick and Woonsocket is $3,884 (8.06%). Warwick's median is +4.98% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Warwick spans $27,811,Woonsocket spans $21,180. Warwick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Warwick
P10 (Entry)$39,786
P25$47,467
Median$52,048
P75$63,244
P90 (Top)$67,597
Woonsocket
P10 (Entry)$40,244
P25$46,140
Median$48,164
P75$56,289
P90 (Top)$61,424

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Warwick ($51,789 effective) pays 8.06% more than Woonsocket ($47,924 effective).

Warwick
Nominal: $52,048
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $51,789
Woonsocket
Nominal: $48,164
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $47,924

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Warwick if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,048/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,597)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,789)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Woonsocket if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Warwick grew 8.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 4.5% growth in Woonsocket over the same period.

Warwick, RI

+8.1%

$46,696 (2024) → $50,463 (2025)

Woonsocket, RI

+4.5%

$44,687 (2024) → $46,698 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Warwick or Woonsocket?

Warwick has a higher median dental assistant salary at $52,048/year, compared to Woonsocket at $48,164/year — a difference of $3,884 (8.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Warwick and Woonsocket?

Warwick dental assistants earn $25.02/hr while Woonsocket hygienists earn $23.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Warwick to Woonsocket as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Warwick and Woonsocket. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Warwick = $51,789, Woonsocket = $47,924), job availability (16 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Warwick vs Woonsocket?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $39,786 in Warwick and $40,244 in Woonsocket. The Woonsocket 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