Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in New Jersey
The median dental assistant earns $49,390 a year in New Jersey ($23.74 an hour), with the middle half earning between $45,970 and $61,290.[1]
25th percentile
$45,970
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$49,390
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$61,290
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $49,390 per year or $23.74/hr at the median. New Jersey runs about 3% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in New Jersey
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental assistants in New Jersey earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | New Jersey hourly | New Jersey annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.59 | $38,660 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $22.10 | $45,970 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $23.74 | $49,390 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $29.47 | $61,290 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $30.87 | $64,200 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $25.45 | $52,940 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in New Jersey
9,990
2.33
0.93
How New Jersey compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $49,390 in New Jersey vs. $48,070 nationally, $1,320 (3%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $38,660 vs. $37,130, 4% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $64,200 vs. $62,250, 3% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 10.8% in New Jersey vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in New Jersey
All 6 New Jersey metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton | $57,400 | $46,160–$60,730 | 470 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $49,570 | $47,490–$57,070 | 6,510 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | $48,810 | $44,520–$59,730 | 270 |
| Vineland | $48,790 | $45,060–$57,840 | 130 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $48,430 | $45,710–$60,000 | 20,870 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $47,590 | $44,870–$58,100 | 970 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in New Jersey
New Jersey's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 10.8% over 2024–2034, from 10,850 to 12,030 jobs, with about 1,580 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental assistant employment to grow 7% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 53,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dental assistant pay in New Jersey
Pay for a dental assistant depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dental assistant roles in New Jersey, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Assistant salary in New Jersey: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in New Jersey?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in New Jersey was $49,390 ($23.74 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $45,970 and $61,290. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $38,660 and the top 10% earned over $64,200.
Do dental assistants in New Jersey earn more than the national median?
Yes. The New Jersey median of $49,390 is higher than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $1,320 (3%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which New Jersey metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 6 New Jersey metro areas with published BLS data, Trenton-Princeton has the highest median at $57,400 a year. Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton has the lowest, at $47,590.
How many dental assistants work in New Jersey?
BLS estimates 9,990 dental assistants were employed in New Jersey in May 2025. That is 2.33 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.93, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in New Jersey?
New Jersey's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 10.8% over 2024–2034, from 10,850 to 12,030 jobs. That works out to about 1,580 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in New Jersey?
Fill dental assistant roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in New Jersey
Dental Assistant salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Assistants (31-9091), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, New Jersey long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants