Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Derry, NH: $24.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Derry, NH runs $24.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,059 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Derry's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,635 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Derry, New Hampshire, the dental assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $24.55 in 2026, representing an increase compared to the national average of $23.84 per hour. This hourly rate opens doors for various work arrangements, including part-time positions where a professional might work three days a week, or per-diem roles that are common in dental settings. For dental assistants operating in general dentistry offices, pediatric facilities, or within orthodontic and oral surgery procedure rooms, the hourly wage can range from $20.23 for entry-level positions to as high as $31.84 for experienced professionals. While these estimates are derived from annual salary figures, they highlight the diverse earning potential for dental assistants across different work environments in Derry.
About the Derry Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.23 | $161.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.31 | $186.48 |
| Median (P50) | $24.55 | $196.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.93 | $239.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.84 | $254.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Derry
Based on $24.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.55/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Derry, NH can expect to earn approximately $51,058 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,457. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Derry.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Derry
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $981.89 | $4,255 | $51,058 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $589.14 | $2,553 | $30,635 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $392.76 | $1,702 | $20,423 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Derry) | $24.55 |
| 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 Derry, NH earn a median of $51,059 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.99% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 4.00% below the New Hampshire state average of $53,187.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.55/hr = $30,635/year (purchasing power: $28,551).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,058/year (purchasing power: $47,585).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Derry (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Derry grew 19.9% from $19.84/hr (2019) to $23.80/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.32/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 Derry 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 Derry
Looking deeper into the financial implications, a part-time dental assistant working 24 hours a week can expect to earn around $30,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem dental assistants in Derry can earn between $22-$35 per hour, with specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics fetching rates as high as $28-$45 per hour. Different employer types, including solo practices, group practices, and dental service organizations like Heartland and Aspen, influence hourly compensation, with specialists often providing more lucrative rates. However, this potential for higher earnings often involves a trade-off, as some dental assistants may choose lower-paying positions that come with benefits such as health insurance. For those negotiating pay, knowing the specific wage ranges for various types of practices in Derry can provide leverage when discussing compensation and benefits, especially in light of the increasing consolidation of DSO chains affecting overall pay scales.
More salary data for Derry, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Derry in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Derry?
Are dental assistants in Derry paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Derry?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Derry?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Hampshire
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 Derry. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Derry is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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