Dental Assistant Pay

Dental Assistant Salary in Cherry Hill, NJ: $55,488 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Cherry Hill, NJ earns a median $55,488/year (≈ $26.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Cherry Hill's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $48,167 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the New Jersey state average.

$55,488
Median Annual Salary
$26.67/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$43,396
Entry Level (P10)
$71,267
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Assistant Salary in Cherry Hill, NJ — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Cherry Hill, NJ dental assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Cherry Hill, New Jersey, dental assistants are projected to earn a median annual salary of $55,488 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $49,579 by approximately 11.92%. Their compensation shows a significant range, with earnings projected between $43,396 at the lower end (10th percentile) and $71,267 at the higher end (90th percentile). The data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, reflects the area's competitive job market for dental assistants, particularly as the demand for specialized roles in orthodontics and oral surgery continues to drive salary growth. As more dental practices seek qualified staff, the potential earnings for positions focused on niche areas are likely to enhance the appeal of these roles in Cherry Hill.

About the Cherry Hill Market

Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$43,396$20.87
Lower Range (P25)$51,340$24.68
Median (P50)(typical)$55,488$26.67
Upper Range (P75)$66,945$32.19
Top Earners (P90)$71,267$34.26

Median Salary Position

$43,396$71,267
City Median: $55,488
National: $49,579
P10–P90 Range

11.92% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cherry Hill

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dental assistants in Cherry Hill. The median salary is $55,488, compared to the national median of $49,579.$39.1K$48.0K$56.9K$65.9K$74.8K$43.4K10th Pctl$51.3K25th Pctl$55.5KMedian$66.9K75th Pctl$71.3K90th PctlUS Median$49.6K

In Cherry Hill, NJ, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,871 (2026 est.). At $55,488, the local median is 11.92% above the national median of $49,579.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of dental assistant pay in the Cherry Hill metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,067
per week
$4,623
per month
$55,478
per year

At 40 hours/week in Cherry Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Cherry Hill Dental Assistant Pay Compares

Cherry Hill median: $55,488/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryCherry Hill Pays
New Jersey Average$57,087-2.80% less
National Average$49,579+11.92% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental assistant median salary in Cherry Hill ($55,488) with New Jersey average ($57,087) and the US national median ($49,579).Cherry Hill$55,488New Jersey Avg$57,087-2.80%US National$49,579+11.92%

Dental Assistants in Cherry Hill, NJ earn a median of $55,488 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.92% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 2.80% below the New Jersey state average of $57,087.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$55,488
Nominal Salary
115.2
CoL Index
$48,167
Adjusted Salary

Cherry Hill has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $55,488. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 115.2, the purchasing-power equivalent is $48,167, a loss of $7,321.$40.9K$46.7K$52.4K$58.1K$63.8K$55,488NominalSalary$48,167CoL Adjusted(CoL: 115.2) -13.19%US Median $49.6K

Cherry Hill, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,488 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,167 — a 13.19% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$44,857

2025 BLS Actual

$53,799

2026 Current Est.

$55,488

2019–2027 Growth

+27.6%

Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Cherry Hill (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for dental assistants in Cherry Hill. Baseline $44,857 in 2025, projected to $57,231 by 2027.$40.5K$45.4K$50.2K$55.1K$60.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$44.9K$46.1K$43.3K$50.2K$52.1K$53.7K$53.8K$55.5K$57.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$44,857Actual
2020$46,088Actual
2021$43,268Actual
2022$50,162Actual
2023$52,087Actual
2024$53,720Actual
2025$53,799Actual
2026(current)$55,488Estimated
2027$57,231Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cherry Hill metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $44,857 (2019) to $53,799 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,231 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,374 (27.59%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cherry Hill metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$43,396$51,340
3-5 years (Mid Career)$51,340$55,488
5+ years (Experienced)$55,488$66,945
10+ years (Top Earner)$66,945$71,267

DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Dental Assistant Job Market in Cherry Hill

Local employment trends highlight that only 11 dental assistants are currently operating in Cherry Hill, indicating a tight job market that may favor those with specialized skills or certifications. The cost-of-living index of 115.2 signals that the consumer environment is above the national average, potentially affecting take-home pay and purchasing power for dental professionals. Employers in the area, such as orthodontic practices and oral surgery clinics, typically offer higher wages compared to general dental practices, driving the disparity in salaries. Factors such as expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) credentials, combined job roles like treatment coordinators, and seniority incentives from larger dental service organizations (DSOs) also contribute to higher pay rates. Those seeking to maximize their dental assistant pay in Cherry Hill may benefit from pursuing additional certifications, gaining experience in specialized fields, or considering roles with larger dental chains that offer structured pay scales and advancement opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dental assistants make in Cherry Hill, NJ in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median dental assistant salary in Cherry Hill is $55,488/year ($26.67/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.14% annual growth). Salaries range from $43,396 at entry level (10th percentile) to $71,267 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Cherry Hill at 11.9% above the national median. Full-time dental assistants typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Cherry Hill, NJ a good place to work as a dental assistant?

Cherry Hill dental assistant salaries are 11.9% above the national average and 2.8% below the New Jersey state average. The metro area employs approximately 11 dental assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can dental assistants make $100K in Cherry Hill?

The median dental assistant salary in Cherry Hill is $55,488, and the 90th percentile earns $71,267. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Cherry Hill?

After adjusting for Cherry Hill's cost-of-living index of 115.2 (where 100 equals the national average), the $55,488 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $48,167 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Cherry Hill reduce the effective value of your salary by 13.2% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Cherry Hill?

Dental Assistants in Cherry Hill earn a median hourly rate of $26.67, which translates to approximately $55,488/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $20.87 for entry-level positions to $34.26 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem dental assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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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.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

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 $53,799 for dental assistantsin the Cherry Hill 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 Cherry Hill is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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