Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Farmington, NM: $21.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Farmington, NM runs $21.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,731 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Farmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.7, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,246 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Farmington, NM, dental assistants can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $21.03 in 2026, which is below the national median of $23.84. This rate reflects the financial landscape in which dental assistants operate within various local settings, including general dentistry operatories, orthodontic practices, and pediatric exam rooms. For part-time positions, such as a 3-day workweek, dental assistants could find themselves earning a satisfactory income to manage their expenses, while per-diem workers typically find rates between $17.56 and $31.36 hourly, depending on their experience and the complexity of the procedures performed. The hourly range demonstrates that entry-level workers start at $17.56, with top earners receiving up to $31.36. This official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) offers precise insights into the earning potential of dental assistants in this region.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.56 | $140.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.79 | $150.34 |
| Median (P50) | $21.03 | $168.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.92 | $183.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.36 | $250.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Farmington
Based on $21.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.03/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Farmington, NM can expect to earn approximately $43,743 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,236. With a cost-of-living index of 87.71 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Farmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Farmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $841.21 | $3,645 | $43,743 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $504.73 | $2,187 | $26,246 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $336.48 | $1,458 | $17,497 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Farmington) | $21.03 |
| 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 Farmington, NM earn a median of $43,731 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.80% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 6.60% below the New Mexico state average of $46,822.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.03/hr = $26,246/year (purchasing power: $29,924).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,743/year (purchasing power: $49,874).
CoL index: 87.707 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Farmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Farmington grew 22.3% from $16.67/hr (2019) to $20.39/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.69/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 Farmington 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 Farmington
For those considering part-time opportunities, working about 24 hours a week as a dental assistant could yield an annual income of approximately $26,270, notably lower than full-time counterparts but still viable to supplement other income sources. On the per diem front, dental assistants often command higher pay than their salaried peers, billing anywhere from $22 to $35 per hour, with specialized fields such as oral surgery and orthodontics reaching $28 to $45 per hour. Employment settings greatly influence hourly rates; those in large dental service organizations (DSOs) may face standardized pay scales, while private practices might offer more flexible negotiations. It is common for dental assistants to weigh the benefits of lower hourly wages against the inclusion of health insurance and other perks. A strategic approach to negotiating pay—being well-informed about the market rates, understanding your worth based on certification from organizations like DANB, and recognizing the value of expanded function authority—can significantly enhance a dental assistant's hourly pay in Farmington.
More salary data for Farmington, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Farmington in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Farmington?
Are dental assistants in Farmington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Farmington?
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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 Farmington. 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