Dental Assistant Salary in New Bedford, MA: $55,301 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in New Bedford, MA earns a median $55,301/year (≈ $26.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in New Bedford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $50,969 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In New Bedford, MA, dental assistants can expect a median annual salary of $55,301, reflecting the growing demand in the field. The salary range varies from $44,025 at the 10th percentile to $70,686 at the 90th, illustrating a diverse pay scale influenced by employment settings. The local estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, highlight how dental assistant pay in New Bedford surpasses the national median of $49,579. With a robust presence of both DSO chains and independent practices, job seekers may find varying compensation structures that offer predictable pay versus flexibility in roles.
About the New Bedford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,025 | $21.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,724 | $24.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,301 | $26.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,338 | $31.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,686 | $33.98 |
Median Salary Position
11.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bedford
In New Bedford, MA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,661 (2026 est.). At $55,301, the local median is 11.54% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Bedford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Bedford Dental Assistant Pay Compares
New Bedford median: $55,301/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bedford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $54,916 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +11.54% more |
Dental Assistants in New Bedford, MA earn a median of $55,301 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.54% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 0.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $54,916.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bedford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Bedford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,301 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,969 — a 7.83% 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
$42,030
2025 BLS Actual
$53,617
2026 Current Est.
$55,301
2019–2027 Growth
+35.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in New Bedford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,841 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,617 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,301 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,037 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bedford metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 27.6% from $42,030 (2019) to $53,617 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,037 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,007 (35.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bedford 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) | $44,025 – $51,724 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,724 – $55,301 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,301 – $66,338 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,338 – $70,686 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in New Bedford
For dental assistants in New Bedford, the job market's strength is indicated by the employment of 24 dental assistants currently working in the area. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 108.5, this suggests that earnings must account for higher living expenses, which can affect take-home purchasing power. Among the highest-paying employers, DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen are often competitive, especially for roles that require specialized skills or certifications. Factors influencing the salary spread include the type of practice—orthodontic and oral surgery offices typically offer higher payscales compared to general practices—as well as credentials like the EFDA. To maximize earnings, dental assistants should consider pursuing additional certifications, targeting higher-paying specialties, or assessing opportunities in chain practices that may offer structured pay scales and career advancement options.
More salary data for New Bedford, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in New Bedford, MA in 2026?
Is New Bedford, MA a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in New Bedford?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in New Bedford?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in New Bedford?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $53,617 for dental assistantsin the New Bedford 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 New Bedford 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