Dental Assistant Pay

Beaumont vs Riverside: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Beaumont, CA and Riverside, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Beaumont, CA
$51,426
$24.72/hr
Riverside, CA
$50,023
$24.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBeaumont, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$51,426$50,023
Hourly Rate$24.72$24.05
Entry Level (P10)$40,239$41,473
25th Percentile$47,596$48,455
75th Percentile$63,185$58,697
Top Earner (P90)$66,073$60,430
Total Employed95,240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Beaumont ($51,426) and Riverside ($50,023) dental assistant salaries.BeaumontRiversideMedian Salary$51,426$50,023Entry Level (P10)$40,239$41,473Top Earner (P90)$66,073$60,430US Median $49,579

Verdict

Beaumont, CA offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.

The salary gap between Beaumont and Riverside is $1,403 (2.80%). Beaumont's median is +3.73% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Beaumont spans $25,834,Riverside spans $18,957. Beaumont has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Beaumont
P10 (Entry)$40,239
P25$47,596
Median$51,426
P75$63,185
P90 (Top)$66,073
Riverside
P10 (Entry)$41,473
P25$48,455
Median$50,023
P75$58,697
P90 (Top)$60,430

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($46,996 effective) pays 3.36% more than Beaumont ($45,469 effective).

Beaumont
Nominal: $51,426
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $45,469
Riverside
Nominal: $50,023
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $46,996

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Beaumont if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,426/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($66,073)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (5,240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,996)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Beaumont grew -16.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.6% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Beaumont, CA

+-16.0%

$59,348 (2024) → $49,860 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+33.6%

$36,290 (2019) → $48,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Beaumont or Riverside?

Beaumont has a higher median dental assistant salary at $51,426/year, compared to Riverside at $50,023/year — a difference of $1,403 (2.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Beaumont and Riverside?

Beaumont dental assistants earn $24.72/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $24.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Beaumont to Riverside as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Beaumont and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Beaumont = $45,469, Riverside = $46,996), job availability (9 vs 5,240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Beaumont vs Riverside?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $40,239 in Beaumont and $41,473 in Riverside. The Riverside area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH

Career Analyst

Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.14% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov