Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Dover, DE: $22.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Dover, DE runs $22.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,135 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Dover's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.5, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,280 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The dental assistant hourly pay in Dover, DE stands at a median rate of $22.66, which is slightly below the national median of $23.84. This rate impacts both full-time and part-time dental assistants, enabling those who work three days a week, or roughly 24 hours, to earn a respectable income while enjoying a flexible schedule. Entry-level positions typically start at around $17.70, while more experienced dental assistants can earn up to $27.60 per hour. These figures, which reflect the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data projected for 2026, illustrate the earning potential in various settings including general dentistry operatories, orthodontic practices, and specialty clinics.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.70 | $141.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.28 | $154.21 |
| Median (P50) | $22.66 | $181.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.44 | $187.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.60 | $220.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dover
Based on $22.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.66/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dover, DE can expect to earn approximately $47,133 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,192. With a cost-of-living index of 97.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dover.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dover
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $906.39 | $3,928 | $47,133 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $543.84 | $2,357 | $28,280 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $362.56 | $1,571 | $18,853 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Dover) | $22.66 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Dover, DE earn a median of $47,135 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.93% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 6.50% below the Delaware state average of $50,412.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.66/hr = $28,280/year (purchasing power: $29,003).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,133/year (purchasing power: $48,338).
CoL index: 97.507 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Dover grew 21.7% from $18.06/hr (2019) to $21.97/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.37/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Dover
Considering the financial dynamics of part-time work in this field, a dental assistant in Dover working three days a week would take home approximately $35,950 annually as opposed to the annual full-time earnings of $47,135 based on a standard schedule. Per diem dental assistant pay in Dover varies widely, with many professionals earning between $22-$35 per hour and some specialty roles, such as in oral surgery or orthodontics, fetching rates up to $45. The variance in hourly rates across employer types highlights the competitive nature of the market; dental assistants in corporate settings like Heartland or Aspen Dental may receive standardized pay, while those in private practices may have more negotiation room. Although some may opt for positions with lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, others might seek higher pay without benefits for more financial freedom. For those considering hourly work in Dover, it’s crucial to assess both immediate earnings and overall compensation when negotiating terms with employers.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Dover. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov