Dental Assistant Pay

Dental Assistant Salary in Hempstead, NY: $47,738 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Hempstead, NY earns a median $47,738/year (≈ $22.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Hempstead's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $41,189 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the New York state average.

$47,738
Median Annual Salary
$22.95/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$36,870
Entry Level (P10)
$62,474
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Assistant Salary in Hempstead, NY — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Hempstead, NY dental assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, dental assistants in Hempstead, NY, can expect a median annual salary of $47,738, which falls slightly below the national figure of $49,579. The salary range for this role in the area spans from $36,870 at the 10th percentile to $62,474 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse range of earning potential based on experience, specialization, and workplace settings. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, help illustrate the current financial landscape. As Hempstead is home to various dental practices, including those specializing in orthodontics and oral surgery, these specialties often command higher wages, further influencing the earnings of dental assistants in the region.

About the Hempstead Market

Salary estimated from New York average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$36,870$17.73
Lower Range (P25)$43,821$21.07
Median (P50)(typical)$47,738$22.95
Upper Range (P75)$58,292$28.02
Top Earners (P90)$62,474$30.03

Median Salary Position

$36,870$62,474
City Median: $47,738
National: $49,579
P10–P90 Range

3.71% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hempstead

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dental assistants in Hempstead. The median salary is $47,738, compared to the national median of $49,579.$33.2K$41.3K$49.4K$57.5K$65.6K$36.9K10th Pctl$43.8K25th Pctl$47.7KMedian$58.3K75th Pctl$62.5K90th PctlUS Median$49.6K

In Hempstead, NY, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,604 (2026 est.). At $47,738, the local median is 3.71% below the national median of $49,579.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$918
per week
$3,978
per month
$47,733
per year

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

How Hempstead Dental Assistant Pay Compares

Hempstead median: $47,738/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryHempstead Pays
New York Average$49,470-3.50% less
National Average$49,579-3.71% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental assistant median salary in Hempstead ($47,738) with New York average ($49,470) and the US national median ($49,579).Hempstead$47,738New York Avg$49,470-3.50%US National$49,579-3.71%

Dental Assistants in Hempstead, NY earn a median of $47,738 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.71% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.50% below the New York state average of $49,470.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$47,738
Nominal Salary
115.9
CoL Index
$41,189
Adjusted Salary

Hempstead has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.

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

The nominal salary is $47,738. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 115.9, the purchasing-power equivalent is $41,189, a loss of $6,549.$35.0K$40.5K$46.0K$51.5K$57.0K$47,738NominalSalary$41,189CoL Adjusted(CoL: 115.9) -13.72%US Median $49.6K

Hempstead, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,738 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $41,189 — a 13.72% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$38,592

2025 BLS Actual

$46,285

2026 Current Est.

$47,738

2019–2027 Growth

+27.6%

Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Hempstead (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 Hempstead. Baseline $38,592 in 2025, projected to $49,237 by 2027.$34.4K$39.4K$44.3K$49.3K$54.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$38.6K$39.7K$37.2K$43.2K$44.8K$51.5K$46.3K$47.7K$49.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$38,592Actual
2020$39,651Actual
2021$37,224Actual
2022$43,156Actual
2023$44,812Actual
2024$51,474Actual
2025$46,285Actual
2026(current)$47,738Estimated
2027$49,237Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hempstead metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,592 (2019) to $46,285 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,237 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,645 (27.58%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hempstead 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)$36,870$43,821
3-5 years (Mid Career)$43,821$47,738
5+ years (Experienced)$47,738$58,292
10+ years (Top Earner)$58,292$62,474

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

Dental Assistant Job Market in Hempstead

The local job market for dental assistants in Hempstead currently employs a small cohort of just nine individuals, yet the opportunities for growth are promising, particularly given the area's cost of living index of 115.9. This index signifies that while wages may be slightly lower than the national average, the higher cost of living could impact purchasing power for dental assistants. In terms of compensation, dental practices focused on oral surgery and orthodontics tend to offer the most competitive pay, potentially outpacing those hiring for general dentistry roles. Variances in salary can also be attributed to factors such as the enhanced earning potential associated with Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) credentials and hybrid roles like treatment coordinators. To optimize earnings in Hempstead's dental assistant job market, pursuing additional certifications through agencies such as DANB or ADAA, and targeting employment at multi-practice chains like Aspen Dental or Heartland Dental can be effective strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dental assistants make in Hempstead, NY in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median dental assistant salary in Hempstead is $47,738/year ($22.95/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.14% annual growth). Salaries range from $36,870 at entry level (10th percentile) to $62,474 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Hempstead at 3.7% below 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 Hempstead, NY a good place to work as a dental assistant?

Hempstead dental assistant salaries are 3.7% below the national average and 3.5% below the New York state average. The metro area employs approximately 9 dental assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 115.9, 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 Hempstead?

The median dental assistant salary in Hempstead is $47,738, and the 90th percentile earns $62,474. 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 Hempstead?

After adjusting for Hempstead's cost-of-living index of 115.9 (where 100 equals the national average), the $47,738 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $41,189 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Hempstead reduce the effective value of your salary by 13.7% 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 Hempstead?

Dental Assistants in Hempstead earn a median hourly rate of $22.95, which translates to approximately $47,738/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $17.73 for entry-level positions to $30.03 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 $46,285 for dental assistantsin the Hempstead 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 Hempstead 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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