Dental Assistant Salary in Edison, NJ: $56,356 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Edison, NJ earns a median $56,356/year (≈ $27.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Edison's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $48,920 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Edison, New Jersey, the dental assistant salary in Edison is projected to reach a median annual amount of $56,356 in 2026, notably surpassing the national average of $49,579 by 13.67%. The local salary range varies from $43,048 at the lower 10th percentile to $75,272 at the upper 90th percentile, indicating a healthy job market for dental assistants who can navigate between traditional solo practices and the more structured pay-scale systems of DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen. With estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, these figures reflect a competitive landscape for aspiring dental assistants, who can leverage their training and experience to secure favorable positions within this diverse market in Edison.
About the Edison Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,048 | $20.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,334 | $24.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,356 | $27.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,701 | $33.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,272 | $36.19 |
Median Salary Position
13.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Edison
In Edison, NJ, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,224 (2026 est.). At $56,356, the local median is 13.67% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Edison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Edison Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Edison median: $56,356/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Edison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $57,098 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +13.67% more |
Dental Assistants in Edison, NJ earn a median of $56,356 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.67% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 1.30% below the New Jersey state average of $57,098.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Edison has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Edison, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $56,356 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,920 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,558
2025 BLS Actual
$54,640
2026 Current Est.
$56,356
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Edison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,558 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,808 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,944 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,946 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,901 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,356 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,125 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Edison metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $45,558 (2019) to $54,640 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,125 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,567 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Edison 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) | $43,048 – $51,334 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,334 – $56,356 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,356 – $69,701 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,701 – $75,272 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Edison
The local job market consists of approximately 20 dental assistants, providing a modest yet stable employment opportunity within the community. The cost of living index in Edison stands at 115.2, highlighting that the area is above the national average, which can affect purchasing power. Among the most lucrative employers are specialized practices such as orthodontists and oral surgery offices, which typically offer higher wages compared to general dental practices or DSO chains. Factors driving the salary disparities include the level of specialization, with orthodontic and oral surgery dental assistants earning more, as well as certifications like EFDA that can enhance earning potential by 25-40%. To maximize pay in this market, dental assistants should consider obtaining additional certifications, exploring hybrid roles like treatment coordinators, and seeking out positions that offer mentorship and lead stipends for experienced team members.
More salary data for Edison, 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 $54,640 for dental assistantsin the Edison 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 Edison 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