Dental Assistant Salary in Long Beach, NY: $48,739 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Long Beach, NY earns a median $48,739/year (≈ $23.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $42,053 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Long Beach, NY, dental assistants can expect a median annual salary of $48,739 in 2026, slightly below the national average of $49,579. The salary range for dental assistants in this area is projected to lie between $38,287 at the lower end (P10) to $59,169 at the higher end (P90). These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adapted for regional price adjustments. A significant factor driving salaries in New York is the state's EFDA expanded function authority, allowing credentialed dental assistants to perform additional procedures, thereby increasing their market value. This specialized training is crucial in competitive environments like Long Beach, providing opportunities that can elevate compensation above the general rates seen in many other areas.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,287 | $18.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,889 | $21.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,739 | $23.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,116 | $27.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,169 | $28.45 |
Median Salary Position
1.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, NY, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,882 (2026 est.). At $48,739, the local median is 1.69% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be above the median
How Long Beach Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $48,739/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $49,431 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -1.69% less |
Dental Assistants in Long Beach, NY earn a median of $48,739 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.69% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.40% below the New York state average of $49,431.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,739 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $42,053 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,400
2025 BLS Actual
$47,255
2026 Current Est.
$48,739
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,482 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,005 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,751 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,552 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,255 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,739 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,269 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $39,400 (2019) to $47,255 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,269 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,869 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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) | $38,287 – $44,889 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,889 – $48,739 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,739 – $57,116 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,116 – $59,169 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Long Beach
The local job market for dental assistants in Long Beach remains steady, with just seven dental assistants currently employed. The cost of living index rests at 115.9, indicating a higher cost of living compared to the national average. This means that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power can be impacted by local expenses. Among local employers, pediatric dental specialist offices and orthodontic practices tend to offer the highest pay, leveraging the specialized skills of their dental assistants. Variability in compensation stems from a combination of factors: specialty settings generally provide higher salaries, and those with EFDA credentials may command a premium. For those aiming to boost their dental assistant pay in Long Beach, acquiring EFDA certification, pursuing roles with DSO chains like Heartland or Aspen, and exploring treatment coordinator positions can be strategic moves to enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Long Beach, 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 $47,255 for dental assistantsin the Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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