Dental Assistant Salary in Arecibo, PR: $36,202 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Arecibo, PR earns a median $36,202/year (≈ $17.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Puerto Rico's price level (25% below national, BEA RPP 75.0), that paycheck buys what $48,269 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% above the Puerto Rico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Arecibo, PR, the estimated salary for dental assistants in 2026 is projected at $36,202 annually, significantly lower than the national median of $49,579. The salary range spans from $23,176 at the 10th percentile to $57,243 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse compensation scenario. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, illustrates the impact of specialization within the dental field; those pursuing roles in oral surgery or orthodontics can command higher pay. Arecibo’s job market reveals opportunities for dental assistants, particularly as the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow in this sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,176 | $11.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27,497 | $13.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,202 | $17.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,929 | $23.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,243 | $27.53 |
Median Salary Position
26.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arecibo
In Arecibo, PR, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,067 (2026 est.). At $36,202, the local median is 26.98% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arecibo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arecibo Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Arecibo median: $36,202/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arecibo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico Average | $33,676 | +7.50% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -26.98% less |
Dental Assistants in Arecibo, PR earn a median of $36,202 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.98% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 7.50% above the Puerto Rico state average of $33,676.
2019 BLS Actual
$18,120
2025 BLS Actual
$35,100
2026 Current Est.
$36,202
2019–2027 Growth
+106.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Arecibo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $19,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $17,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $18,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $22,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $22,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,202 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,339 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arecibo metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 93.7% from $18,120 (2019) to $35,100 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,339 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,219 (106.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arecibo 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) | $23,176 – $27,497 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $27,497 – $36,202 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,202 – $47,929 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,929 – $57,243 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Arecibo
The local job market in Arecibo employs around 170 dental assistants, showcasing a relatively stable environment for prospective professionals. While the median wage may appear modest compared to national averages, living costs in Puerto Rico influence actual earnings potential. Among the dental practices in Arecibo, specialty offices, particularly orthodontic and oral surgery practices, tend to offer the highest salaries, often surpassing general dental offices. Factors such as holding an Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) credential, engaging in treatment coordinator roles, or working in large Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Aspen can significantly enhance earning capability. To maximize dental assistant pay in Arecibo, pursuing specialized training, gaining relevant certifications, and actively seeking positions within high-paying specialties are advisable strategies for career progression.
More salary data for Arecibo, PR:
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 $35,100 for dental assistantsin the Arecibo 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