Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in New Mexico
The median dental assistant earns $44,400 a year in New Mexico ($21.35 an hour), with the middle half earning between $38,300 and $47,160.[1]
25th percentile
$38,300
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$44,400
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$47,160
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $44,400 per year or $21.35/hr at the median. New Mexico runs about 8% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in New Mexico
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 Mexico earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | New Mexico hourly | New Mexico annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $17.82 | $37,060 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $18.41 | $38,300 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $21.35 | $44,400 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $22.67 | $47,160 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $26.90 | $55,950 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $21.70 | $45,130 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in New Mexico
2,150
2.47
0.99
How New Mexico compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $44,400 in New Mexico vs. $48,070 nationally, $3,670 (8%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $37,060 vs. $37,130, about the same.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $55,950 vs. $62,250, 10% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): -0.6% in New Mexico vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in New Mexico
All 4 New Mexico metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe | $47,160 | $44,400–$50,660 | 210 |
| Albuquerque | $44,810 | $38,830–$46,830 | 1,000 |
| Farmington | $42,400 | $37,910–$46,220 | 210 |
| Las Cruces | $38,400 | $37,250–$45,190 | 200 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in New Mexico
New Mexico's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to change 0.6% over 2024–2034, from 2,010 to 1,990 jobs, with about 260 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 Mexico
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
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Dental Assistant salary in New Mexico: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in New Mexico?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in New Mexico was $44,400 ($21.35 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $38,300 and $47,160. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $37,060 and the top 10% earned over $55,950.
Do dental assistants in New Mexico earn more than the national median?
No. The New Mexico median of $44,400 is lower than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $3,670 (8%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which New Mexico metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 4 New Mexico metro areas with published BLS data, Santa Fe has the highest median at $47,160 a year. Las Cruces has the lowest, at $38,400.
How many dental assistants work in New Mexico?
BLS estimates 2,150 dental assistants were employed in New Mexico in May 2025. That is 2.47 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.99, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in New Mexico?
New Mexico's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to change 0.6% over 2024–2034, from 2,010 to 1,990 jobs. That works out to about 260 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in New Mexico?
Fill dental assistant roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in New Mexico
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 Mexico long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants