Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Utica, NY: $23.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Utica, NY runs $23.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,022 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Utica's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,807 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Utica, NY, dental assistants can expect a median hourly rate of $23.08, slightly lower than the national figure of $23.84. This pay level has significant implications for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis in various settings such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and orthodontic practices. For a part-time dental assistant working three days a week, this translates into a substantial income while still allowing flexibility in scheduling. The hourly pay ranges from $19.08 at the entry level to $27.08 for top earners, reflecting the diverse expertise and responsibilities across different dental environments. This data, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and projected to 2026, provides a clear picture of what dental professionals can anticipate in the local job market.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.08 | $152.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.11 | $176.91 |
| Median (P50) | $23.08 | $184.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.83 | $190.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.08 | $216.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Utica
Based on $23.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.08/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Utica, NY can expect to earn approximately $48,012 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,699. With a cost-of-living index of 92.68 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Utica.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Utica
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $923.31 | $4,001 | $48,012 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $553.99 | $2,401 | $28,807 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $369.32 | $1,600 | $19,205 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Utica) | $23.08 |
| 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 Utica, NY earn a median of $48,022 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.14% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.90% below the New York state average of $49,456.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.08/hr = $28,807/year (purchasing power: $31,083).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,012/year (purchasing power: $51,805).
CoL index: 92.678 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Utica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Utica grew 19.9% from $18.66/hr (2019) to $22.38/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.81/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 Utica 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 Utica
Considering the part-time earning potential, a dental assistant in Utica working a 24-hour week can expect to take home approximately $28,200 annually. Contrast this with full-time colleagues who earn higher salaries, and one can see why many choose the flexibility of part-time and per-diem positions. Per-diem dental assistant pay in Utica typically ranges from $22 to $35 per hour, with specialty positions in oral surgery or orthodontics fetching rates as high as $28 to $45 per hour. Variability in hourly rates largely depends on the type of employer, ranging from general dental practices to specialty offices and educational settings, influencing factors such as benefits and pay negotiations. Dental assistants often face the reality of choosing between lower hourly rates with health insurance and higher pay without benefits. For those negotiating in Utica, emphasizing specialized skills or certifications—such as DANB or EFDA—can lead to better pay packages and overall working conditions in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Utica, 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 Utica. 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