Dental Assistant Salary in Maine: $60,411 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median dental assistant pay sits at $60,411/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9091. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $60,654 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Portland ($61,240), South Portland ($60,978), Lewiston ($57,650).
As of 2026, dental assistant salaries in Maine average at $60,411, which is significantly higher than the national median of $49,579, reflecting a difference of 21.8%. Portland stands out as the highest-paying city at $63,163, while Brunswick offers the lowest salary at $45,696, creating a salary gap of $17,467. This disparity can largely be attributed to differences in the cost of living, demand for dental services, and the availability of qualified professionals in these areas. Maine has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact the roles and responsibilities of dental assistants, which in turn may influence salary levels. The demand for dental assistants is expected to grow steadily, with an annual compound growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, highlighting the profession's resiliency. The leading cities projected for 2026 include South Portland at $62,893, Lewiston at $59,460, Auburn at $59,444, and Bangor at $50,704. The state's dental care landscape, complemented by an increasing population and heightened awareness of oral health, is expected to fuel job opportunities in this field. With 1,155 dental assistants currently employed in Maine, it is a promising time for aspiring professionals to enter this occupation.
Maine Dental Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maine: $37,104 (lowest entry-level) to $80,110 (highest top earner)
Maine vs National Average
Maine dental assistants earn 21.85% more than the national median (+$10,832/year difference).
Maine Dental Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Assistant salaries in Maine range from $49,798 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $64,141 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,411. The Maine median is $10,832 above the US national median of $49,579. The average hourly rate is $29.04/hr. Approximately 1,155 dental assistants are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,316
2025 BLS Actual
$58,572
2026 Current Est.
$60,411
2019–2027 Growth
+40.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Maine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,316 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,962 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,485 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,058 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,572 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,411 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,308 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 32.2% from $44,316 (2019) to $58,572 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,308 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,992 (40.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maine 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maine
Lowest Paying Cities in Maine
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Brunswick | $45,696 |
| Sanford | $46,130 |
| Augusta | $46,566 |
| Biddeford | $46,721 |
| Scarborough | $47,114 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Assistants in Maine
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for dental assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland | $62,893 | 99.6 | $63,146 |
| Lewiston | $59,460 | 94.736 | $62,764 |
| Portland | $63,163 | 101.858 | $62,011 |
| Auburn | $59,444 | 99.6 | $59,683 |
| Bangor | $50,704 | 96.508 | $52,539 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maine
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,798 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $60,411 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $64,141 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maine metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Maine
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland | $63,163 |
| 2 | South Portland | $62,893 |
| 3 | Lewiston | $59,460 |
| 4 | Auburn | $59,444 |
| 5 | Bangor | $50,704 |
| 6 | Scarborough | $47,114 |
| 7 | Biddeford | $46,721 |
| 8 | Augusta | $46,566 |
| 9 | Sanford | $46,130 |
| 10 | Brunswick | $45,696 |
More Maine Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore dental assistant hourly pay in Maine cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental assistants.
Explore More Dental Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Maine in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental assistants in Maine?
How does Maine dental assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental assistant salary in Maine?
How many dental assistants are employed in Maine?
Which Maine city offers the best value for dental assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental assistant compensation across Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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