Dental Assistant Salary in Newark, DE: $50,097 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Newark, DE earns a median $50,097/year (≈ $24.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Newark's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $49,260 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average dental assistant salary in Newark, DE is projected to reach $50,097, reflecting a slight premium compared to the national median of $49,579. This salary range spans from $40,021 at the 10th percentile to $61,727 at the 90th percentile. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors. Notably, Delaware’s allowance for expanded function dental assistants (EFDAs) significantly contributes to higher wages within this field. Dental assistants in Newark not only enjoy competitive pay but also benefit from a job market that actively seeks skilled professionals, driven in part by the demand for dental services in the region.
About the Newark Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,021 | $19.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,634 | $22.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,097 | $24.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,111 | $28.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,727 | $29.67 |
Median Salary Position
1.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newark
In Newark, DE, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,706 (2026 est.). At $50,097, the local median is 1.04% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Newark: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Newark Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Newark median: $50,097/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newark Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $50,400 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +1.04% more |
Dental Assistants in Newark, DE earn a median of $50,097 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.04% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 0.60% below the Delaware state average of $50,400.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newark has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Newark, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,097 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,260 — a 1.67% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$40,499
2025 BLS Actual
$48,572
2026 Current Est.
$50,097
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Newark (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,499 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,064 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,288 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,026 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,459 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,572 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,097 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,670 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newark metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $40,499 (2019) to $48,572 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,670 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,171 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newark 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,021 – $46,634 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,634 – $50,097 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,097 – $59,111 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,111 – $61,727 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Newark
Within Newark, only five dental assistants are reported as employed, indicating a relatively small yet specialized job market. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 101.7, slightly above the national average, which influences overall purchasing power. The highest-paying employers are typically found within specialty practices, such as oral surgery or orthodontics, with general practices lagging behind. The variance in compensation can be attributed to factors including the EFDA credentials, specialized roles like treatment coordinators, and tiered pay scales from larger dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen. To maximize pay, dental assistants should consider pursuing EFDA certification and seeking employment with chains that offer structured financial incentives and professional development opportunities.
More salary data for Newark, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Newark, DE in 2026?
Is Newark, DE a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Newark?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Newark?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Newark?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Delaware
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $48,572 for dental assistantsin the Newark metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Newark 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