Dental Assistant Pay

Camarillo vs Los Angeles: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Camarillo, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Camarillo, CA
$51,250
$24.64/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$48,373
$23.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCamarillo, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$51,250$48,373
Hourly Rate$24.64$23.26
Entry Level (P10)$40,036$39,245
25th Percentile$46,105$46,609
75th Percentile$61,641$52,189
Top Earner (P90)$65,503$60,749
Total Employed1321,090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Camarillo ($51,250) and Los Angeles ($48,373) dental assistant salaries.CamarilloLos AngelesMedian Salary$51,250$48,373Entry Level (P10)$40,036$39,245Top Earner (P90)$65,503$60,749US Median $49,579

Verdict

Camarillo, CA offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Camarillo and Los Angeles is $2,877 (5.95%). Camarillo's median is +3.37% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Camarillo spans $25,467,Los Angeles spans $21,504. Camarillo has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Camarillo
P10 (Entry)$40,036
P25$46,105
Median$51,250
P75$61,641
P90 (Top)$65,503
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$39,245
P25$46,609
Median$48,373
P75$52,189
P90 (Top)$60,749

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Camarillo ($45,314 effective) pays 6.38% more than Los Angeles ($42,595 effective).

Camarillo
Nominal: $51,250
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $45,314
Los Angeles
Nominal: $48,373
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $42,595

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Camarillo if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,250/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,503)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,314)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (21,090 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Camarillo grew -16.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.9% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Camarillo, CA

+-16.0%

$59,145 (2024) → $49,690 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+20.9%

$38,800 (2019) → $46,900 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Camarillo or Los Angeles?

Camarillo has a higher median dental assistant salary at $51,250/year, compared to Los Angeles at $48,373/year — a difference of $2,877 (5.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Camarillo and Los Angeles?

Camarillo dental assistants earn $24.64/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $23.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Camarillo to Los Angeles as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Camarillo and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Camarillo = $45,314, Los Angeles = $42,595), job availability (13 vs 21,090 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Camarillo vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $40,036 in Camarillo and $39,245 in Los Angeles. The Camarillo 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