Dental Assistant Salary in Rochester, NY: $50,312 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Rochester, NY earns a median $50,312/year (≈ $24.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.0), that paycheck buys what $51,849 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Projected data for 2026 indicates that the dental assistant salary in Rochester, NY, averages $50,312 annually, slightly above the national figure of $49,579. This salary reflects the variety of settings in which dental assistants operate, notably the growing dominance of dental service organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland, Aspen, and Pacific Dental. These chains typically offer structured pay scales but may lack the flexibility seen in solo practices, where compensation can sometimes vary more widely based on negotiation and personal rapport. In Rochester, salaries range from $40,400 at the lower end to $61,750 for those at the top of the pay spectrum, revealing a vibrant job market for dental assistants as reflected by the official BLS OEWS surveys.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,400 | $19.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,578 | $22.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,312 | $24.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,727 | $27.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,750 | $29.69 |
Median Salary Position
1.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,350 (2026 est.). At $50,312, the local median is 1.48% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Rochester median: $50,312/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $49,422 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +1.48% more |
Dental Assistants in Rochester, NY earn a median of $50,312 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.48% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 1.80% above the New York state average of $49,422.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 2.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 97.035 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $50,312 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,849 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,230
2025 BLS Actual
$48,780
2026 Current Est.
$50,312
2019–2027 Growth
+35.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,312 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,891 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 27.6% from $38,230 (2019) to $48,780 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,891 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,661 (35.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $40,400 – $47,578 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,578 – $50,312 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,312 – $57,727 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,727 – $61,750 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Rochester
Rochester's job market includes approximately 1,020 dental assistants, a number that underscores the demand for skilled practitioners in the area. The cost of living index in Rochester stands at 97.035, indicating that housing and daily expenses are slightly below the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power for dental assistants. Among local employers, general dental practices and specialty offices such as pediatrics and orthodontics typically provide higher compensation, with those in oral surgery yielding the most lucrative salaries. The disparity between low and high earnings is influenced by factors such as specialty, expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) credentials, and roles that combine treatment coordination with traditional duties. For those looking to maximize their pay in Rochester, obtaining certifications from DANB or ADAA, pursuing EFDA status where applicable, and considering positions in DSO chains that offer career growth may serve as effective strategies.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 $48,780 for dental assistantsin the Rochester 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