Dental Assistant Salaries in New Hampshire
While its population and land area are limited, New Hampshire features a strong economy that generates jobs at an impressive rate. Healthcare professionals who work in New Hampshire, or who cross the border to work in Massachusetts or Maine, are well paid in comparison to most locations. This includes dental assistants, who represent a growing category of employment in New Hampshire.
The number of dental assistant jobs available to New Hampshire residents is projected to expand by 14.6 percent between 2016 and 2026. This is approximately one-third less than the projected rate of job expansion for the entire country, with the increases somewhat limited by New Hampshire’s lack of population growth.
Still, this means that an estimated 320 new dental assistant positions will be created in the state over the next decade. This is good news for those interested in pursuing a career as a dental assistant, as it indicates that there will be plenty of opportunities available.
If you’re thinking about becoming a dental assistant in New Hampshire, you’ll need to complete an accredited dental assisting program and pass a state-specific exam. Once you’ve done so, you’ll be able to find work in one of the state’s many dental practices.
Dental assistants in New Hampshire are handsomely compensated for their skills and performance. People in New Hampshire who enter this profession can expect to receive salaries that are among the highest paid anywhere in the country.
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| State | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | 351,470 | $19.79 | $41,170 | $27,980 | $33,440 | $40,080 | $48,550 | $56,930 |
| New Hampshire | 1,350 | $23.69 | $49,280 | $36,180 | $42,150 | $48,390 | $56,280 | $63,740 |
Prospective dental assistants seeking top salaries in New Hampshire should search for employment in either Portsmouth or Nashua. The latter is included in the greater Boston metropolitan area, where good paying dental assistant jobs are often filled by commuting New Hampshire residents. Dental assistants who work in Manchester or the Dover (ME)-Durham (NH) metro area are paid less than the state average, but still receive several thousand dollars more annually than the national average.
| Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 6070 | $24.15 | $50,220 | $35,440 | $41,980 | $49,890 | $58,850 | $66,220 |
| Dover-Durham, NH-ME | 130 | $22.74 | $47,300 | $35,760 | $40,860 | $47,220 | $54,360 | $61,110 |
| Manchester, NH | 200 | $23.45 | $48,780 | $34,640 | $39,420 | $48,150 | $57,520 | $64,000 |
| Portsmouth, NH-ME | 140 | $24.60 | $51,170 | $37,570 | $45,200 | $52,640 | $58,960 | $62,960 |
Men and women employed as dental assistants in New Hampshire are paid more than those who work as pharmacy technicians, nursing assistants or medical assistants, and the gap is fairly substantial. They make quite a bit less than physical therapists, however, who are in high demand in the state.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 1870 | $16.05 | $33,380 | $24,950 | $27,760 | $32,280 | $38,470 | $45,520 |
| Nursing Assistants | 8140 | $16.07 | $33,430 | $26,600 | $29,000 | $32,840 | $37,710 | $41,870 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 330 | $29.58 | $61,520 | $48,840 | $54,920 | $61,150 | $68,520 | $77,380 |
| Dental Assistants | 1350 | $23.69 | $49,280 | $36,180 | $42,150 | $48,390 | $56,280 | $63,740 |
| Medical Assistants | 2770 | $17.97 | $37,370 | $30,150 | $33,680 | $37,230 | $41,330 | $47,690 |