Dental Assistant Salary in Auburn, NY: $46,993 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Auburn, NY earns a median $46,993/year (≈ $22.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $40,546 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Auburn, NY are projected to earn a median annual salary of $46,993, which presents a slight disadvantage compared to the national median of $49,579. The salary range for this occupation is expected to span from $37,919 at the lower end (P10) to $59,922 at the higher end (P90). Local salary estimates are based on BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost factors. The job market in Auburn is notably small, with only 4 dental assistants currently employed, suggesting a highly competitive field that may be influenced by the growth of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen. These chains often feature structured pay scales, which may limit pay flexibility that solo practices typically offer.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,919 | $18.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,059 | $21.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,993 | $22.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,785 | $27.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,922 | $28.81 |
Median Salary Position
5.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, NY, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,003 (2026 est.). At $46,993, the local median is 5.22% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Auburn Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Auburn median: $46,993/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $49,466 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -5.22% less |
Dental Assistants in Auburn, NY earn a median of $46,993 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.22% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 5.00% below the New York state average of $49,466.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $46,993 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $40,546 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,989
2025 BLS Actual
$45,562
2026 Current Est.
$46,993
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,989 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,031 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,643 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,482 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,112 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,562 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,993 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,468 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $37,989 (2019) to $45,562 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,468 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,479 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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) | $37,919 – $44,059 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,059 – $46,993 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,993 – $56,785 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,785 – $59,922 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Auburn
The cost of living in Auburn, indexed at 115.9, poses additional challenges for dental assistant pay in the region. Although there are only a handful of dental assistants working here, opportunities can vary greatly depending on the type of employer. For example, positions within pediatric dental specialty offices or oral surgery practices tend to command higher salaries compared to general dental practices. Factors contributing to salary variation include the level of specialty, the presence of an Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) credential, and the hybrid treatment coordinator roles that some employers may offer. To maximize earning potential, aspiring dental assistants should consider obtaining certifications through DANB or pursuing additional training that aligns with specific roles in high-demand areas, leveraging the benefits of DSO opportunities or specializing in areas like orthodontics, where pay tends to be more competitive.
More salary data for Auburn, NY:
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 $45,562 for dental assistantsin the Auburn 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 Auburn 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