PayByState

New Jersey · BLS SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistant salary in New Jersey

Median $53,030 · Top 10% earn $71,130+ · Roughly 10,559 workers in New Jersey. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

New Jersey median
$53,030
$25.50/hr
Top 10%
$71,130
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$37,080
Entry-level range
Real pay
$46,764
CoL-adjusted (RPP 113.4)

New Jersey pays modestly above the U.S. median for dental assistants — $53,030 versus the national median of $47,350. After adjusting for New Jersey's high cost of living, real purchasing power is actually below the U.S. average — the headline number is misleading. The state employs roughly 10,559 dental assistants.

What drives dental assistant pay in New Jersey

New Jersey DA pay tracks above national median, driven by NYC-suburban dental practice pricing.

New Jersey ranks #11 of 50 states

Where New Jersey sits in the national distribution for dental assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. New Jersey
#10 Connecticut $53,510 +$480
#9 Hawaii $53,510 +$480
#8 Massachusetts $53,510 +$480
#11 New Jersey (this page) $53,030 —
#13 Maryland $52,090 −$940
#14 Colorado $50,190 −$2,840
#15 Rhode Island $49,720 −$3,310
See all 50 states →

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Education path for New Jersey

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (8–12 mo); on-the-job in some states, taking about 10 months. Tuition ranges from $1,000 (community college) to $12,000 (private accelerated). On the New Jersey median of $53,030, payback periods are typically 0.6 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with New Jersey selected.

Dental Assistant salary in New Jersey — FAQ

What is the average dental assistant salary in New Jersey?
The median dental assistant salary in New Jersey is $53,030 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $37,080; the top 10% earn $71,130 or more. About 10,559 people work in this role across the state.
How does New Jersey dental assistant pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey's median of $53,030 is $5,680 above the U.S. national median of $47,350. After adjusting for New Jersey's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 113.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $46,764.
Is dental assistant a good career in New Jersey?
On the data: New Jersey employs roughly 10,559 dental assistants, with a median wage of $53,030 and the top decile clearing $71,130. The role is projected to grow +7% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental assistants in New Jersey?
At the New Jersey median of $53,030 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $25.50/hr. The top 10% earn around $34.20/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $17.83/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

New Jersey-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9091: Dental Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where New Jersey's RPP is 113.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.