Dental Assistant salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Dental Assistants in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $47,610 a year ($22.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,410 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 1% lower than the New York statewide median of $48,110. There are 2.3 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,690 | $19.56 |
| 25th percentile | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| Median | $47,610 | $22.89 |
| 75th percentile | $49,060 | $23.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,410 | $27.12 |
| Average (mean) | $48,380 | $23.26 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,967.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,983.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,831.15 |
| Weekly | $915.58 |
| Hourly | $22.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,610 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Elmira, NY | $49,450 | 40 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $49,120 | 620 |
| Rochester, NY | $48,780 | 1,020 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $48,430 | 20,870 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $48,220 | 970 |
| Ithaca, NY | $48,170 | 100 |
| Kingston, NY | $47,940 | 130 |
| Syracuse, NY | $47,370 | 690 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $47,070 | 110 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $46,560 | 250 |
| Binghamton, NY | $44,840 | 270 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $43,010 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $44,650 | $21.47 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,350 | $22.28 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,050 | $22.62 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,830 | $29.73 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,790 | $19.13 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $56,630 | $27.23 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $50,140 | $24.11 |
| Orderly | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $51,140 | $24.59 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $47,610 a year, or $22.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $56,410 a year. The top 25% earn $49,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,690 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $46,660 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 1,230 dental assistants are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.