Dental Assistant Salary in Kingston, NY: $49,445 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Kingston, NY earns a median $49,445/year (≈ $23.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Kingston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $49,097 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kingston, New York, the projected dental assistant salary in 2026 stands at $49,445, showing a slight dip from the national median of $49,579. The salary range for dental assistants in the region spans from $39,121 at the 10th percentile to $59,006 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This compensation reflects the ongoing evolution in the dental workforce, influenced by the rise of dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen, which often implement standardized pay scales and training protocols. Meanwhile, solo practices may offer more flexibility but can vary widely in compensation based on clientele and practice size. With approximately 130 dental assistants employed locally, the job market in Kingston demonstrates both opportunities and nuances that aspiring professionals should navigate.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,121 | $18.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,733 | $22.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,445 | $23.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,498 | $25.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,006 | $28.37 |
Median Salary Position
0.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingston
In Kingston, NY, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,885 (2026 est.). At $49,445, the local median is 0.27% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingston: You'd be above the median
How Kingston Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Kingston median: $49,445/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $49,579 | -0.27% less |
Dental Assistants in Kingston, NY earn a median of $49,445 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.27% lower than the national median of $49,579.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingston has a cost of living 0.71% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingston, NY has a cost-of-living index of 100.709 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,445 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,097 — a 0.7% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,930
2025 BLS Actual
$47,940
2026 Current Est.
$49,445
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Kingston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,445 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,998 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingston metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 14.3% from $41,930 (2019) to $47,940 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,998 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,068 (21.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingston 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) | $39,121 – $47,733 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,733 – $49,445 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,445 – $52,498 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,498 – $59,006 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Kingston
When considering how much do dental assistants make in Kingston, it's crucial to factor in the local cost of living, which registers at a CoL index of 100.709. This figure indicates that while salaries are competitive, local purchasing power may differ from the national average, impacting take-home pay. Among various types of dental practices, general and pediatric offices often provide lower salaries compared to specialty practices such as oral surgery or orthodontics, where demand and required skill sets may drive higher compensation. Additionally, dental assistants with expanded function authority (EFDA) credentials can see a significant boost in their wages, sometimes earning 25-40% more depending on state laws. To optimize dental assistant pay in Kingston, pursuing additional certifications through credentials like DANB or EFDA, and seeking roles in hybrid positions such as treatment coordinators can lead to better financial outcomes in this growing dental sector.
More salary data for Kingston, 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 $47,940 for dental assistantsin the Kingston 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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