Dental Assistant Salary in Oswego, NY: $46,373 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Oswego, NY earns a median $46,373/year (≈ $22.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Oswego's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $40,011 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual compensation for a dental assistant salary in Oswego, NY, is projected to be $46,373, which lags behind the national average of $49,579 by approximately 6.47%. The salary spectrum for this role ranges from $39,877 at the 10th percentile to $57,415 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a significant disparity in earnings based on experience, specialization, and practice type. These figures are derived from BLS state-level estimates combined with regional price adjustments. In Oswego, the job market is somewhat limited, but the presence of both solo practices and dental service organizations (DSOs) introduces variability in compensation structures. As DSOs continue to grow, they are likely to implement standardized pay scales, impacting how much do dental assistants make in Oswego compared to private practices.
About the Oswego Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,877 | $19.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,148 | $21.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,373 | $22.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,128 | $26.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,415 | $27.60 |
Median Salary Position
6.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oswego
In Oswego, NY, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,538 (2026 est.). At $46,373, the local median is 6.47% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oswego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oswego Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Oswego median: $46,373/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oswego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $49,438 | -6.20% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -6.47% less |
Dental Assistants in Oswego, NY earn a median of $46,373 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.47% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 6.20% below the New York state average of $49,438.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oswego has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oswego, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $46,373 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $40,011 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,488
2025 BLS Actual
$44,961
2026 Current Est.
$46,373
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Oswego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,488 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,517 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,921 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,001 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,961 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,373 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,829 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oswego metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $37,488 (2019) to $44,961 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,829 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,341 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oswego 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) | $39,877 – $44,148 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,148 – $46,373 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,373 – $55,128 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,128 – $57,415 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Oswego
The local job market in Oswego currently employs five dental assistants, underscoring a need for professionals despite the population size. The cost of living index in the area stands at 115.9, indicating that housing and daily expenses are notably higher than national averages, which can affect the effective purchasing power of salaries here. Among various employers, DSOs like Heartland and Aspen often provide more competitive compensation packages compared to general dental practices, particularly for roles that leverage expanded function authority (EFDA). Specialty practices—especially orthodontics and oral surgery—tend to offer the highest salaries, capitalizing on the demand for skilled assistants. For dental assistants in Oswego, pursuing additional credentials such as DANB or obtaining an EFDA certification can significantly enhance earning potential. Additionally, exploring roles that blend responsibilities, like treatment coordinating, may yield higher pay and job satisfaction in this competitive market.
More salary data for Oswego, 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 $44,961 for dental assistantsin the Oswego 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 Oswego 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