Dental Assistant Salary in Portsmouth, NH: $51,045 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Portsmouth, NH earns a median $51,045/year (≈ $24.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $47,572 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, earn a median annual salary of $51,045, reflecting a slight increase compared to the national figure of $49,579. With salaries ranging from $41,719 at the lower end (P10) to $60,459 at the upper end (P90), professionals in this market experience a competitive pay scale. Local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments suggest that Portsmouth's job market is influenced by the growing presence of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which often employ chain-wide pay structures, contrasting with the flexibility that comes from working in solo practices. This dynamic not only shapes salary levels but also impacts job stability and daily responsibilities faced by dental assistants in the area.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,719 | $20.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,046 | $23.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,045 | $24.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,100 | $28.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,459 | $29.06 |
Median Salary Position
2.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, NH, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,740 (2026 est.). At $51,045, the local median is 2.96% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be above the median
How Portsmouth Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $51,045/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $53,172 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +2.96% more |
Dental Assistants in Portsmouth, NH earn a median of $51,045 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.96% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 4.00% below the New Hampshire state average of $53,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,045 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,572 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,640
2025 BLS Actual
$49,491
2026 Current Est.
$51,045
2019–2027 Growth
+0.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,419 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,491 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,045 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,648 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew -6.0% from $52,640 (2019) to $49,491 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,648 by 2027 — a total increase of $8 (0.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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) | $41,719 – $48,046 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,046 – $51,045 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,045 – $59,100 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,100 – $60,459 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Portsmouth
The local job market for dental assistants in Portsmouth is relatively small, with only five professionals currently employed. The cost of living index of 107.3 indicates that living expenses are above the national average, impacting the purchasing power of dental assistants’ salaries. Higher earnings typically come from specialized dental practices, such as oral surgery or orthodontics, as opposed to general dentistry, which tends to offer lower compensation. Various factors contribute to the differences in pay; for instance, certifications like the Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) can lead to salary increases of 25-40% in states that allow expanded responsibilities. Additionally, those who take on roles as treatment coordinators or mentor dental assistants often find more lucrative positions within the industry. To maximize pay in Portsmouth, aspiring dental assistants should consider pursuing additional certifications and seeking opportunities with DSOs, which can provide structured pay raises and career development pathways.
More salary data for Portsmouth, NH:
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
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 $49,491 for dental assistantsin the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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