Dental Assistant salary in New Mexico
Dental Assistants in New Mexico earn a median of $18.68 per hour, about $38,840 a year, 18% below the U.S. median of $22.74. The middle half earn between $17.64 and $22.07 per hour. The highest median among New Mexico metro areas is in Santa Fe, NM, at $21.76 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $18.68median pay per hour
- $38,840median pay per year
- 2,010dental assistants employed in New Mexico
- #44of 50 states by median pay
Dental Assistant pay in New Mexico: percentiles
| Level | New Mexico per hour | New Mexico per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $16.64 | $34,610 | $17.40 |
| Lower quartile | $17.64 | $36,690 | $19.00 |
| Median | $18.68 | $38,840 | $22.74 |
| Upper quartile | $22.07 | $45,910 | $27.36 |
| Top 10% | $26.10 | $54,290 | $29.70 |
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs New Mexico median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $21.76 | $45,260 | 170 | 16% above | $22.03 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $19.24 | $40,010 | 930 | 3% above | $20.14 |
| Farmington, NM | $18.51 | $38,500 | 190 | 1% below | — |
| Las Cruces, NM | $17.74 | $36,900 | 210 | 5% below | $19.66 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Dental Assistant pay in states next to New Mexico
What employers are posting in New Mexico
- 6roles with published pay
- $22.75median pay per hour
- $18–$28typical published range
- 3employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen Dental | 3 | $22.50 |
| PDS Health | 2 | $21.44 |
| ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers | 1 | $26 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 6 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Dental Assistant jobs in New Mexico · Dental Assistant salary nationwide · New Mexico state guide
Common questions
How much does a dental assistant make in New Mexico?
The median is $18.68 per hour, about $38,840 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $16.64 and the top 10% earn over $26.10 (BLS, May 2024).
Which New Mexico city pays dental assistants the most?
Among New Mexico metro areas, Santa Fe, NM has the highest median at $21.76 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does New Mexico rank for dental assistant pay?
New Mexico ranks 44th of 50 states by median dental assistant pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you pay dental assistants? Get the report.
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- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
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20+ Dental Assistant roles in New Mexico, sent free by email
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Your Dental Assistant pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your New Mexico list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Aspen DentalAlbuquerque, NM · 3 postings$22.50/ hr$18–$30
- PDS HealthAlbuquerque, NM · 2 postings$21.44/ hr$16–$27
- Aspen DentalSt. Louis Park, MN · 5 postings$37.50/ hr$22–$42
- Smile BrandsFaribault, MN · 3 postings$28.50/ hr$25–$35
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your New Mexico list
2What they are offering now
6 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in New Mexico, 4 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 6 Dental Assistant roles
- Dental AssistantPermanent$16.50–$23.25/ hour
- Dental AssistantPermanent$19.25–$26.75/ hour
+ 4 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.