Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Salem, NH: $24.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Salem, NH runs $24.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,914 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,150 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salem, New Hampshire, dental assistants earn a median hourly pay of $24.96, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $23.84. This competitive rate enhances the attractiveness of part-time opportunities, where dental assistants working three days a week can still achieve decent earnings while maintaining flexibility in their schedules. Positions across various settings, such as general dentistry and pediatric practices, afford entry-level dental assistants an hourly starting wage of around $19.16, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $30.69. Such hourly rates, derived from annual salary estimates, reflect the diverse nature of the field and the range of responsibilities expected, making this profession an appealing option for those entering the dental workforce in 2026.
About the Salem 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) | $19.16 | $153.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.68 | $181.44 |
| Median (P50) | $24.96 | $199.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.47 | $235.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.69 | $245.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salem
Based on $24.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.96/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salem, NH can expect to earn approximately $51,917 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,952. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $998.40 | $4,326 | $51,917 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $599.04 | $2,596 | $31,150 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $399.36 | $1,731 | $20,767 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Salem) | $24.96 |
| 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 Salem, NH earn a median of $51,914 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.71% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 2.40% below the New Hampshire state average of $53,191.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.96/hr = $31,150/year (purchasing power: $29,031).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,917/year (purchasing power: $48,384).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Salem grew 19.9% from $20.18/hr (2019) to $24.20/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.74/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 Salem 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 Salem
Part-time dental assistants in Salem, who work approximately 24 hours a week, can anticipate annual earnings that significantly influence their financial situation compared to full-time counterparts. Although per-diem options are available, billing between $22 and $35 an hour is common, with specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics potentially attracting rates of $28 to $45 hourly. Various employer types play a role in shaping hourly pay, as general practices, pediatric offices, and orthodontic settings each come with unique compensation structures. While some dental assistants may choose positions with lower hourly wages for benefits like health insurance, others prefer higher rates without those perks. For those considering their options, negotiating effectively can lead to better compensation, especially given the emerging trend of DSO chains such as Heartland and Aspen adjusting pay scales in response to industry changes. The current employment climate underscores the importance of understanding both hourly rates and benefits when evaluating job offers in the Salem area.
More salary data for Salem, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Salem in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Salem?
Are dental assistants in Salem paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Salem?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Salem?
Related Pages
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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 Salem. 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 Salem 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