How to Become A Dental Assistant in New York
New York employs approximately 19,800 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,110 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 York, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in New York
How do I become a dental assistant in New York? New York requires credentials such as Dental Hygienist, Registered Dental Assistant. The licensing authority is the NYS Education Department - State Board for Dentistry 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in New York? Yes. New York has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The NYS Education Department - State Board for Dentistry oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in New York? The median annual wage for dental assistants in New York is $48,110 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,410 and experienced professionals can earn $60,490 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: NYS Education Department - State Board for Dentistry
- Median wage (New York): $48,110 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in New York
The NYS Education Department - State Board for Dentistry oversees dental assistant licensing in New York 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist | Under the supervision of a dentist, dental hygienists provide treatment to prevent cavities and gum diseases. |
| Registered Dental Assistant | Only individuals who have met all the requirements for licensure and have been issued a license to practice as a New York State licensed registered dental assistant may use the title “registered denta… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in New York
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in New York
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in New York vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 20,870 | $48,430 | $51,560 | $36,410 | $62,780 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | 1,230 | $47,610 | $48,380 | $40,690 | $56,410 |
| Rochester | 1,020 | $48,780 | $49,200 | $39,170 | $59,870 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | 970 | $48,220 | $48,180 | $37,990 | $58,260 |
| Syracuse | 690 | $47,370 | $47,940 | $37,060 | $58,060 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | 620 | $49,120 | $49,760 | $37,960 | $58,910 |
| Binghamton | 270 | $44,840 | $43,380 | $37,500 | $54,230 |
| Utica-Rome | 250 | $46,560 | $46,010 | $38,480 | $54,610 |
| Kingston | 130 | $47,940 | $48,340 | $37,930 | $57,210 |
| Glens Falls | 110 | $47,070 | $46,150 | $37,340 | $56,760 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum | 110 | $43,010 | $43,150 | $36,920 | $49,440 |
| Ithaca | 100 | $48,170 | $49,110 | $38,570 | $58,130 |
| Elmira | 40 | $49,450 | $48,010 | $38,890 | $57,960 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Dental assistants in New York
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within New York according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 20,870 | $48,430 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | 1,230 | $47,610 |
| Rochester | 1,020 | $48,780 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | 970 | $48,220 |
| Syracuse | 690 | $47,370 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in New York? New York currently employs approximately 19,800 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 York with an out-of-state license? Contact the NYS Education Department - State Board for Dentistry for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in New York? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in New York.
How much do dental assistants earn in New York compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in New York is $48,110, which is $810 above the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data 1.
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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NYS Education Department - State Board for Dentistry - Licensing Information: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |