Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Los Alamos, NM: $20.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Los Alamos, NM runs $20.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,137 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Los Alamos's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,885 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Los Alamos, NM, can expect a median hourly pay of $20.74, which is notably lower than the national median of $23.84. This hourly rate reflects the realities of the local job market, particularly for those working in various dental settings such as general dentistry, pediatric offices, and oral surgery. With the hourly range starting at $17.22 for entry-level positions and peaking at $25.72 for more experienced professionals, part-time workers, who might typically work three days a week, can anticipate earnings that provide a decent living, albeit less than what counterparts might make in other regions. Per-diem roles, often utilized in temporary or fill-in capacities, offer variability in pay and can represent a flexible earning opportunity for dental assistants looking for additional shifts or alternative schedules.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.22 | $137.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.77 | $158.18 |
| Median (P50) | $20.74 | $165.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.68 | $197.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.72 | $205.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Alamos
Based on $20.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.74/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Alamos, NM can expect to earn approximately $43,142 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,890. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Los Alamos.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Alamos
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $829.66 | $3,595 | $43,142 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $497.79 | $2,157 | $25,885 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $331.86 | $1,438 | $17,257 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Los Alamos) | $20.74 |
| 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 Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $43,137 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.99% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $46,787.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.74/hr = $25,885/year (purchasing power: $27,421).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,142/year (purchasing power: $45,702).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Los Alamos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Los Alamos grew 19.9% from $16.77/hr (2019) to $20.11/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.39/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 Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos
Looking deeper into the earnings potential, a part-time dental assistant in Los Alamos working 24 hours a week may gross around $26,000 annually, which can be substantially lower than full-time salaries, typically earned at 40 hours a week. Per diem dental assistants often find themselves commanding rates between $22 to $35 per hour, with specialized roles in oral surgery and orthodontics pushing as high as $28 to $45 per hour. The hourly pay for dental assistants will vary significantly depending on employer type; general practices and pediatric offices may offer lower rates compared to specialized surgical or orthodontic practices. Furthermore, as dental support organizations (DSOs) alter pay structures, understanding the trade-offs becomes crucial. While some may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance in some positions, others opt for higher pay without benefits in more flexible roles. Negotiating effectively for an hourly position in Los Alamos may benefit from emphasizing specialization or certifications like those from DANB to justify higher wage expectations.
More salary data for Los Alamos, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Los Alamos in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Los Alamos?
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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 Los Alamos. 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 Los Alamos 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