Dental Assistant Salary in Perth Amboy, NJ: $55,945 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Perth Amboy, NJ earns a median $55,945/year (≈ $26.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Perth Amboy's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $48,563 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Perth Amboy, NJ, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $55,945, which represents a notable increase compared to the national median of $49,579. The local salary range spans from $44,706 at the 10th percentile to $72,757 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and take into account regional price adjustments, revealing how expanded function rules in New Jersey can elevate pay scales above general rates for dental assistants. Given the local cost of living index of 115.2, there is a compelling case for pursuing dental assistant roles in Perth Amboy, particularly for those with Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) credentials, which are recognized for offering pay premiums.
About the Perth Amboy Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,706 | $21.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,305 | $25.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,945 | $26.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,039 | $32.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,757 | $34.97 |
Median Salary Position
12.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Perth Amboy
In Perth Amboy, NJ, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,051 (2026 est.). At $55,945, the local median is 12.84% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Perth Amboy: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Perth Amboy Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Perth Amboy median: $55,945/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Perth Amboy Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $57,087 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +12.84% more |
Dental Assistants in Perth Amboy, NJ earn a median of $55,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.84% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 2.00% below the New Jersey state average of $57,087.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Perth Amboy has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Perth Amboy, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,945 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,563 — a 13.2% 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
$45,226
2025 BLS Actual
$54,242
2026 Current Est.
$55,945
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Perth Amboy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,226 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,467 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,624 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,575 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,516 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,163 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,242 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,945 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,702 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Perth Amboy metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $45,226 (2019) to $54,242 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,702 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,476 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Perth Amboy 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) | $44,706 – $52,305 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,305 – $55,945 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,945 – $68,039 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,039 – $72,757 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Perth Amboy
Analyzing the job market, there are currently 13 dental assistants employed in Perth Amboy, indicating a stable yet competitive environment. The cost of living, which is higher than the national average, influences purchasing power for these professionals. Employers in the area may include general dental practices, pediatric offices, and specialty clinics. Specialty positions, such as those in orthodontics or oral surgery, typically command higher salaries. The variation in pay can also be attributed to the level of EFDA certification, which allows for additional responsibilities, and the structures put in place by dental service organizations (DSOs) that standardize pay scales across clinics. To maximize earning potential in this market, aspiring dental assistants might consider gaining EFDA certification, looking for roles that allow for hybrid positions like treatment coordination, and staying abreast of opportunities within DSOs that can provide both higher compensation and enhanced career pathways.
More salary data for Perth Amboy, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Perth Amboy, NJ in 2026?
Is Perth Amboy, NJ a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Perth Amboy?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Perth Amboy?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Perth Amboy?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $54,242 for dental assistantsin the Perth Amboy 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 Perth Amboy 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