Dental Assistant Salary in Keene, NH: $50,969 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Keene, NH earns a median $50,969/year (≈ $24.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Keene's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $47,501 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Keene, NH will find themselves in a robust salary range influenced by the state's EFDA expanded function rules, which typically drive pay above that of general dental assistant positions. With a median annual salary projected at $50,969, the earnings for dental assistants in this region span from $41,358 at the 10th percentile to $62,124 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, indicate an appealing job market for those considering a career in dental assisting, particularly for individuals who can leverage specialized skills or credentials within the dynamic local healthcare landscape.
About the Keene Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,358 | $19.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,878 | $23.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,969 | $24.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,984 | $28.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,124 | $29.87 |
Median Salary Position
2.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Keene
In Keene, NH, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,766 (2026 est.). At $50,969, the local median is 2.8% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Keene: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Keene Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Keene median: $50,969/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Keene Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $53,203 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +2.80% more |
Dental Assistants in Keene, NH earn a median of $50,969 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.80% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 4.20% below the New Hampshire state average of $53,203.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Keene has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Keene, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,969 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,501 — a 6.8% 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
$41,203
2025 BLS Actual
$49,417
2026 Current Est.
$50,969
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Keene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,203 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,334 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,743 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,076 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,844 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,345 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,417 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,969 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,569 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Keene metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $41,203 (2019) to $49,417 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,569 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,366 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Keene 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) | $41,358 – $47,878 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,878 – $50,969 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,969 – $59,984 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,984 – $62,124 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Keene
Only five dental assistants are currently employed in Keene, highlighting a niche job market that may experience growth given the projected annual increase of 3.14% in this sector. The local cost of living, reflected in an index of 107.3, suggests that salaries may need to be competitive to ensure that professionals maintain adequate purchasing power. Among local employers, dental practices that specialize in orthodontics or oral surgery may offer the highest pay, while general and pediatric dentistry settings often fall on the lower end of the spectrum. The disparity in earnings is further accentuated by factors like specialty practice, EFDA credentials, and roles within DSO chains, where pay scales are more standardized. To maximize their earnings, aspiring dental assistants in Keene should consider obtaining expanded function credentials, pursuing roles that integrate additional responsibilities, or seeking positions with larger dental service organizations which often provide more structured career advancement pathways.
More salary data for Keene, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Keene, NH in 2026?
Is Keene, NH a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Keene?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Keene?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Keene?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Hampshire
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 $49,417 for dental assistantsin the Keene 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 Keene 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