Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Portsmouth, NH: $24.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Portsmouth, NH runs $24.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,045 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Portsmouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,622 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the dental assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $24.54 by 2026, which is a competitive rate compared to the national median of $23.84. This hourly wage opens up various opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers in diverse settings such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and oral surgery suites. For those working part-time, say three days a week, the financial rewards can be substantial, particularly when considering the hourly range that spans from $20.06 for entry-level positions to as much as $29.06 for top earners. These figures have been estimated based on annual salary data, indicating a stable earning potential for dental assistants in this city.
About the Portsmouth 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) | $20.06 | $160.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.10 | $184.83 |
| Median (P50) | $24.54 | $196.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.42 | $227.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.06 | $232.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portsmouth
Based on $24.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.54/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portsmouth, NH can expect to earn approximately $51,037 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,444. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portsmouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portsmouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $981.48 | $4,253 | $51,037 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $588.89 | $2,552 | $30,622 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $392.59 | $1,701 | $20,415 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Portsmouth) | $24.54 |
| 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 Portsmouth, NH earn a median of $51,045 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.96% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 4.00% below the New Hampshire state average of $53,172.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.54/hr = $30,622/year (purchasing power: $28,539).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,037/year (purchasing power: $47,565).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-0.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Portsmouth grew -6.0% from $25.31/hr (2019) to $23.79/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.31/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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
When analyzing the potential income for a dental assistant in Portsmouth, part-time workers clocking in around 24 hours a week may take home a comfortable sum annually, though it falls short of what full-time aides would earn. Per-diem opportunities often present variable pay, with dental assistants frequently billing between $22 and $35 an hour, while those skilled in specialized areas like oral surgery can see rates spike to between $28 and $45 per hour. Hourly pay also varies significantly depending on the type of employer, from solo practices to large dental support organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen, with the latter often offering standardized pay scales and benefits packages. Dental assistants sometimes accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and other benefits, which can be a wise trade-off for many. Practical negotiation tips for Portsmouth dental assistants include emphasizing their specialized skills or certifications from DANB or ADAA to secure a higher hourly wage, especially in a competitive market influenced by evolving employer dynamics in the dental field.
More salary data for Portsmouth, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Portsmouth in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Portsmouth?
Are dental assistants in Portsmouth paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Portsmouth?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Portsmouth?
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 Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth 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