Dental Assistant Pay

Dental Assistant Salary in Mount Laurel, NJ: $54,483 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Mount Laurel, NJ earns a median $54,483/year (≈ $26.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Mount Laurel's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $47,294 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the New Jersey state average.

$54,483
Median Annual Salary
$26.20/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$44,287
Entry Level (P10)
$67,960
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Assistant Salary in Mount Laurel, NJ — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Mount Laurel, NJ dental assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Mount Laurel, NJ, the projected median annual salary for dental assistants is estimated at $54,483 for 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $49,579. This higher compensation reflects the influence of the state's expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) regulations, allowing skilled assistants to perform a wider range of duties and subsequently command better pay. The salary range for dental assistants in this area varies from $44,287 at the 10th percentile to $67,960 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the potential for income growth based on experience and additional credentials. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data estimates adjusted for regional price parities, revealing a local job market that is rewarding for those who pursue ongoing education and specialization in dental assisting roles, particularly in the dynamic landscape of Mount Laurel's healthcare sector.

About the Mount Laurel Market

Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$44,287$21.29
Lower Range (P25)$51,332$24.68
Median (P50)(typical)$54,483$26.20
Upper Range (P75)$64,914$31.21
Top Earners (P90)$67,960$32.67

Median Salary Position

$44,287$67,960
City Median: $54,483
National: $49,579
P10–P90 Range

9.89% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Laurel

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dental assistants in Mount Laurel. The median salary is $54,483, compared to the national median of $49,579.$39.9K$47.7K$55.6K$63.5K$71.4K$44.3K10th Pctl$51.3K25th Pctl$54.5KMedian$64.9K75th Pctl$68.0K90th PctlUS Median$49.6K

In Mount Laurel, NJ, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,673 (2026 est.). At $54,483, the local median is 9.89% above the national median of $49,579.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of dental assistant pay in the Mount Laurel metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,048
per week
$4,541
per month
$54,491
per year

At 40 hours/week in Mount Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Mount Laurel Dental Assistant Pay Compares

Mount Laurel median: $54,483/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryMount Laurel Pays
New Jersey Average$57,110-4.60% less
National Average$49,579+9.89% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental assistant median salary in Mount Laurel ($54,483) with New Jersey average ($57,110) and the US national median ($49,579).Mount Laurel$54,483New Jersey Avg$57,110-4.60%US National$49,579+9.89%

Dental Assistants in Mount Laurel, NJ earn a median of $54,483 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.89% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 4.60% below the New Jersey state average of $57,110.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$54,483
Nominal Salary
115.2
CoL Index
$47,294
Adjusted Salary

Mount Laurel has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $54,483. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 115.2, the purchasing-power equivalent is $47,294, a loss of $7,189.$40.2K$45.8K$51.4K$57.0K$62.7K$54,483NominalSalary$47,294CoL Adjusted(CoL: 115.2) -13.19%US Median $49.6K

Mount Laurel, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,483 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,294 — a 13.19% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$44,044

2025 BLS Actual

$52,824

2026 Current Est.

$54,483

2019–2027 Growth

+27.6%

Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Mount Laurel (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for dental assistants in Mount Laurel. Baseline $44,044 in 2025, projected to $56,193 by 2027.$39.7K$44.5K$49.3K$54.1K$58.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$44.0K$45.3K$42.5K$49.3K$51.1K$52.7K$52.8K$54.5K$56.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$44,044Actual
2020$45,253Actual
2021$42,483Actual
2022$49,253Actual
2023$51,143Actual
2024$52,747Actual
2025$52,824Actual
2026(current)$54,483Estimated
2027$56,193Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mount Laurel metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $44,044 (2019) to $52,824 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,193 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,149 (27.58%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Laurel metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$44,287$51,332
3-5 years (Mid Career)$51,332$54,483
5+ years (Experienced)$54,483$64,914
10+ years (Top Earner)$64,914$67,960

DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Dental Assistant Job Market in Mount Laurel

A total of 11 dental assistants are currently employed in Mount Laurel, feeding into a competitive local job climate. The cost-of-living index sits at 115.2, indicating that while salaries are above the national average, they must also account for the relatively higher expenses in the area. Specialty practices, such as oral surgery and orthodontics, tend to offer the most lucrative positions, often providing better compensation than general practices. Factors contributing to pay disparities include the demand for EFDA-credentialed DAs, possible hybrid roles like treatment coordination, and the pay scales set by dental service organization (DSO) chains operating in the region. Maximizing earnings in this nuanced market can involve seeking positions within those high-paying specialties, leveraging any additional certifications from organizations like DANB or ADAA, and considering opportunities within the expanding DSO frameworks that often favor structured pay scales and clear career advancement pathways.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dental assistants make in Mount Laurel, NJ in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median dental assistant salary in Mount Laurel is $54,483/year ($26.20/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.14% annual growth). Salaries range from $44,287 at entry level (10th percentile) to $67,960 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Mount Laurel at 9.9% above the national median. Full-time dental assistants typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Mount Laurel, NJ a good place to work as a dental assistant?

Mount Laurel dental assistant salaries are 9.9% above the national average and 4.6% below the New Jersey state average. The metro area employs approximately 11 dental assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can dental assistants make $100K in Mount Laurel?

The median dental assistant salary in Mount Laurel is $54,483, and the 90th percentile earns $67,960. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Mount Laurel?

After adjusting for Mount Laurel's cost-of-living index of 115.2 (where 100 equals the national average), the $54,483 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $47,294 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Mount Laurel reduce the effective value of your salary by 13.2% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Mount Laurel?

Dental Assistants in Mount Laurel earn a median hourly rate of $26.20, which translates to approximately $54,483/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $21.29 for entry-level positions to $32.67 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem dental assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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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.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $52,824 for dental assistantsin the Mount Laurel metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Mount Laurel is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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