NM · Las Cruces · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Specialist jobs in Las Cruces, NM

Dental Specialists in New Mexico earn a median of $101.14 per hour, about $210,370 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $91.40 and $115+. That is 7% below the U.S. median of $108.54 per hour. The free report below lists employers near Las Cruces and what they pay.

Dental Specialist pay in Las Cruces, NM

Nationally the median is $108.54 per hour. BLS counts about 50 dentists, all other specialists employed in New Mexico.

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$50.23$104,48054% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$91.40$190,11016% below U.S. median
Median$101.14$210,3707% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$115+$239,200+6% above U.S. median
Top 10%$115+$239,200+6% above U.S. median

BLS does not publish a separate figure for dental specialist. These numbers are for the broader category it belongs to, Dentists, All Other Specialists.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dentists, All Other Specialists (SOC 29-1029), all industries. Figures marked $115+ are the BLS top-coded maximum. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Las Cruces

  • Overall prices in Las Cruces run 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.2, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 37% below the U.S. average (index 63.0).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Named employers near Las Cruces, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Las Cruces paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$3,641
  • Per year: $182,052
  • Per month: $15,171

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for New Mexico. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Dental health shortage areas in Doña Ana County

HRSA lists 4 active dental health shortage designations that include Doña Ana County (1 population-group, 3 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 25 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Dental Specialist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
El Paso, TX39 mi$109.41/hr681,723
Albuquerque, NM192 mi$101.14/hr560,326
Rio Rancho, NM204 mi$101.14/hr112,524
Tucson, AZ239 mi$115+/hr554,013
Marana, AZ254 mi$115+/hr62,380
Odessa, TX262 mi$109.41/hr119,748

Dental Specialist jobs in New Mexico · Dental Specialist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in New Mexico

Active dental license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what New Mexico requires for your role with the New Mexico licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

New Mexico taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

New Mexico state guide

Other healthcare roles in Las Cruces

Las Cruces city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental specialists make in Las Cruces, NM?

Dental Specialists in New Mexico have a median pay of $101.14 per hour, about $210,370 a year. The middle half earn between $91.40 and $115+ per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Do I need a New Mexico license to work in Las Cruces as a dental specialist?

Active dental license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what New Mexico requires for your role with the New Mexico licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Las Cruces in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 4 active dental health shortage designations that include Doña Ana County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

Does Valorem Health place dental specialists in Las Cruces?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Las Cruces and across New Mexico. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Las Cruces.

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What do employers near Las Cruces pay dental specialists? Get the report.

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  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other employers

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

  2. 2
    What they are offering now

    The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.

  3. 3
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Pay report · Dental Specialist near Las Cruces, NM
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dental Specialist pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your New Mexico list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Dental Care AllianceLargo, FL · 1 posting$180.29/ hr$144–$216
  • Dental Care AllianceWheat Ridge, CO · 1 posting$168.27/ hr$144–$192
  • PDS HealthAvondale, AZ · 1 posting$164.66/ hr$132–$197
  • PDS HealthColorado Springs, CO · 1 posting$164.66/ hr$132–$197

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your New Mexico list

2What they are offering now

Low$110Median$144.23High$195

13 Dental Specialist postings with published pay in the US, 10 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open Dental Specialist roles

Open Dental Specialist roles near Las Cruces, NM, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.

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