How to Become a Dental Assistant in New Hampshire (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

New Hampshire employs about 1,600 dental assistants earning a median $59,530 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Dental Assistant here means completing a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in New Hampshire

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
174.3Contact school for pricingNot reported100%—78 mi
262.1$6,048 in-state / $12,120 out-of-state$56,30123%Yes*53 mi
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358.4$5,904 in-state / $11,112 out-of-state$51,91732%Yes*87 mi
458.1$6,262 in-state / $11,206 out-of-state$55,07622%Yes*62 mi
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556.4$7,200 in-state / $15,450 out-of-state$55,05629%Yes*11 mi
653.9$5,376 in-state / $10,320 out-of-state$54,28819%Yes*87 mi
Sponsored Ad
753.3$6,160 in-state / $11,080 out-of-state$53,97724%Yes*44 mi
852.4$6,732 in-state / $12,516 out-of-state$52,74321%Yes*46 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

New Hampshire employs approximately 1,600 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $59,530 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Dental Assistant in New Hampshire, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: dental assisting program or on-the-job training where the state allows it (find programs)
  • Typical timeline: a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires
  • Exam: DANB CDA and/or state RDA or radiography permit
  • Median wage (New Hampshire): $59,530 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in New Hampshire

How to become a Dental Assistant in New Hampshire? Complete a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in New Hampshire? Licensing varies. Confirm with the program and employer. See the licensing section below.

What do dental assistants earn in New Hampshire? The median annual wage for dental assistants in New Hampshire is $59,530 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,820 and experienced professionals can earn $64,360 or more 1.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in New Hampshire

  1. Meet basic requirements. Most New Hampshire dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with the employer.
  2. Complete a dental assisting program or on-the-job training if the state allows it. Finish a certificate (often under a year) or associate program in New Hampshire. Prefer a CODA-accredited program. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. Earn CDA and any state assistant credential. DANB CDA is the national exam. Some states also require RDA, a radiography permit, or expanded-functions (EFDA). Confirm current permits with the employer.
  4. Apply to the state dental board when registration is required. Some states register assistants; others only permit X-ray or expanded duties; some allow OJT with no statewide license. Do not treat a hygienist or dentist license as the assistant path.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Dental Assistant License Requirements in New Hampshire

Dental assistants in New Hampshire typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit the employer requires.

Typical path

  1. Meet the program’s entry rules.

  2. Complete a dental assisting program or OJT if the state allows it.

  3. Earn DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit.

  4. Apply to the employer when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in New Hampshire

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in New Hampshire

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), dental assistants wages in New Hampshire vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Boston-Cambridge-Newton7,190$58,160$57,520$47,780$72,780
Manchester-Nashua600$59,700$56,520$47,720$61,400

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for dental assistants in New Hampshire? New Hampshire currently employs approximately 1,600 dental assistants 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a dental assistant in New Hampshire with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.

What training programs are available in New Hampshire? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in New Hampshire.

How much do dental assistants earn in New Hampshire compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in New Hampshire is $59,530, which is $12,230 above the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data 1.

In New Hampshire

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)