Dental Assistant Salary in Camden, NJ: $49,905 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Camden, NJ earns a median $49,905/year (≈ $23.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Camden's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $43,320 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.6% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the competitive job market for dental assistants in Camden, New Jersey, the 2026 median annual salary is projected at $49,905, slightly exceeding the national median of $49,579. The salary range for this role highlights significant earning potential, with the lowest 10% earning about $38,819 and the top 90% making as much as $65,269. These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, suggest that those in specialized fields like orthodontics and oral surgery can expect higher compensation. This specialty premium illustrates the demand for skilled dental assistants, establishing Camden as a viable city for professionals seeking growth in this healthcare sector.
About the Camden Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,819 | $18.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,863 | $22.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,905 | $23.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,067 | $29.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,269 | $31.38 |
Median Salary Position
0.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Camden
In Camden, NJ, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,450 (2026 est.). At $49,905, the local median is 0.66% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Camden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Camden Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Camden median: $49,905/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Camden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $57,100 | -12.60% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +0.66% more |
Dental Assistants in Camden, NJ earn a median of $49,905 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.66% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 12.60% below the New Jersey state average of $57,100.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Camden has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Camden, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,905 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,320 — a 13.2% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,343
2025 BLS Actual
$48,386
2026 Current Est.
$49,905
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Camden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,343 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,451 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,914 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,115 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,846 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,436 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,386 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,905 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,472 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Camden metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $40,343 (2019) to $48,386 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,472 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,129 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Camden 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) | $38,819 – $45,863 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,863 – $49,905 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,905 – $61,067 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,067 – $65,269 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Camden
The job market in Camden employs just 16 dental assistants, indicating a tight-knit community that could benefit from local demand. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, salaries in Camden need to compete against higher living expenses, affecting overall purchasing power. Those seeking the best-paying opportunities may find dental assistant roles in specialized practices, particularly orthodontics and oral surgery, more lucrative. Differences in pay can primarily be attributed to specialties, with oral surgery and orthodontics typically offering higher wages than general practices. Furthermore, additional credentials like an EFDA certification or taking on hybrid roles as treatment coordinators can lead to higher salaries. Maximizing your pay in Camden may require pursuing further education, gaining specialized experience, or aligning with a DSO chain, which often has standardized pay scales that favor skilled professionals.
More salary data for Camden, NJ:
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 $48,386 for dental assistantsin the Camden 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 Camden 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