Dental Assistant Pay

Jurupa Valley vs Riverside: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Jurupa Valley, CA
$53,059
$25.51/hr
Riverside, CA
$50,023
$24.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJurupa Valley, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$53,059$50,023
Hourly Rate$25.51$24.05
Entry Level (P10)$41,788$41,473
25th Percentile$48,175$48,455
75th Percentile$65,424$58,697
Top Earner (P90)$70,600$60,430
Total Employed245,240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jurupa Valley ($53,059) and Riverside ($50,023) dental assistant salaries.Jurupa ValleyRiversideMedian Salary$53,059$50,023Entry Level (P10)$41,788$41,473Top Earner (P90)$70,600$60,430US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Jurupa Valley and Riverside is $3,036 (6.07%). Jurupa Valley's median is +7.02% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jurupa Valley spans $28,812,Riverside spans $18,957. Jurupa Valley has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Jurupa Valley
P10 (Entry)$41,788
P25$48,175
Median$53,059
P75$65,424
P90 (Top)$70,600
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 0.18% more than Jurupa Valley ($46,913 effective).

Jurupa Valley
Nominal: $53,059
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $46,913
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 Jurupa Valley if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,059/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($70,600)
  • 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 Jurupa Valley grew -16.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.6% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Jurupa Valley, CA

+-16.0%

$61,233 (2024) → $51,444 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+33.6%

$36,290 (2019) → $48,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Jurupa Valley or Riverside?

Jurupa Valley has a higher median dental assistant salary at $53,059/year, compared to Riverside at $50,023/year — a difference of $3,036 (6.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jurupa Valley and Riverside?

Jurupa Valley dental assistants earn $25.51/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $24.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jurupa Valley to Riverside as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jurupa Valley and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jurupa Valley = $46,913, Riverside = $46,996), job availability (24 vs 5,240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $41,788 in Jurupa Valley and $41,473 in Riverside. The Jurupa Valley 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