SOC 31-9091 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dental Assistants — Rochester
Rochester, NY · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Dental Assistants in Rochester, NY is $48,780 per year, close to the national median of $48,070 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Dental Assistants in Rochester, NY is $48,780 per year, close to the national median of $48,070 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $46,130 and $55,970. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $39,170 and the ninetieth at $59,870.
Employment stands at 1,020, or 2.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Elmira records the highest median at $49,450. Of the 562 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 393rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,170 | −18.5% |
| 25th | $46,130 | −4.0% |
| Median (50th) | $48,780 | +1.5% |
| 75th | $55,970 | +16.4% |
| 90th | $59,870 | +24.5% |
| Mean | $49,200 | +2.4% |
Other metro areas in New York
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elmira | $49,450 | 40 | |
| 2 | Kiryas Joel | $49,120 | 620 | |
| 3 | New York | $48,430 | 20,870 | |
| 4 | Albany | $48,220 | 970 | |
| 5 | Ithaca | $48,170 | 100 | |
| 6 | Kingston | $47,940 | 130 | |
| 7 | Buffalo | $47,610 | 1,230 | |
| 8 | Syracuse | $47,370 | 690 | |
| 9 | Glens Falls | $47,070 | 110 | |
| 10 | Utica | $46,560 | 250 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Rochester run 7.9% above the national average, so the median of $48,780 buys what $45,209 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 6.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,780as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$45,209US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,780 a year, 1.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,170 to $59,870 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,020 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Elmira, at $49,450.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dental Assistants in Rochester, NY?
The median annual wage is $48,780, or $23.45 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $48,070, so pay in Rochester, NY is 1.5% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Rochester, NY earns more than $59,870 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,170 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Elmira, at $49,450 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,020 jobs in this occupation in Rochester, NY. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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