Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Elmira, NY: $24.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Elmira, NY runs $24.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,003 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Elmira's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,609 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Elmira, NY, dental assistant hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $24.53 in 2026, which surpasses the national hourly median of $23.84. This figure opens avenues for part-time workers, such as those on a 3-day workweek, to earn a suitable wage while balancing other commitments. In a typical setting, dental assistants may be found in various environments, including general dentistry operatories, orthodontic offices, and pediatric dental clinics. For entry-level positions, the hourly pay starts around $19.29, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $28.75, reflecting a considerable range in compensation within the field, according to the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.29 | $154.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.37 | $170.96 |
| Median (P50) | $24.53 | $196.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.33 | $202.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.75 | $229.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elmira
Based on $24.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.53/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elmira, NY can expect to earn approximately $51,016 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,432. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elmira.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elmira
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $981.07 | $4,251 | $51,016 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $588.64 | $2,551 | $30,609 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $392.43 | $1,701 | $20,406 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Elmira) | $24.53 |
| 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 Elmira, NY earn a median of $51,003 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.87% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 3.10% above the New York state average of $49,469.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.53/hr = $30,609/year (purchasing power: $32,426).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,016/year (purchasing power: $54,043).
CoL index: 94.398 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Elmira (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Elmira grew 24.6% from $19.09/hr (2019) to $23.78/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.30/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 Elmira 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 Elmira
Evaluating part-time earnings, a dental assistant working just 24 hours a week could expect to take home approximately $38,760 annually, showcasing the financial feasibility of this career for individuals seeking flexibility. Those opting for per diem positions in Elmira can typically command a pay scale between $22 and $35 per hour, with specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics offering up to $45 per hour. Compensation varies significantly depending on the employing entity, whether it's a small private practice or larger dental service organizations like Heartland or Aspen Dental. Many dental assistants must also weigh the benefits of lower hourly wages against the security of health insurance offered by full-time roles. When negotiating pay, it may be advantageous to emphasize experience or certifications from recognized bodies like DANB or expanded function authority, which can influence earned wages in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Elmira, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Elmira. 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