Dental Assistant Pay

Los Angeles vs Roseville: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$48,373
$23.26/hr
Roseville, CA
$60,171
$28.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CARoseville, CA
Median Salary$48,373$60,171
Hourly Rate$23.26$28.93
Entry Level (P10)$39,245$47,691
25th Percentile$46,609$56,165
75th Percentile$52,189$72,104
Top Earner (P90)$60,749$80,446
Total Employed21,09035
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($48,373) and Roseville ($60,171) dental assistant salaries.Los AngelesRosevilleMedian Salary$48,373$60,171Entry Level (P10)$39,245$47,691Top Earner (P90)$60,749$80,446US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Roseville is $11,798 (24.39%). Roseville's median is +21.36% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $21,504,Roseville spans $32,755. Roseville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$39,245
P25$46,609
Median$48,373
P75$52,189
P90 (Top)$60,749
Roseville
P10 (Entry)$47,691
P25$56,165
Median$60,171
P75$72,104
P90 (Top)$80,446

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roseville ($53,202 effective) pays 24.90% more than Los Angeles ($42,595 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $48,373
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $42,595
Roseville
Nominal: $60,171
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $53,202

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

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

Choose Roseville if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,171/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,446)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,202)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Los Angeles grew 20.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -5.0% growth in Roseville over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+20.9%

$38,800 (2019) → $46,900 (2025)

Roseville, CA

+-5.0%

$61,431 (2024) → $58,339 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Roseville has a higher median dental assistant salary at $60,171/year, compared to Los Angeles at $48,373/year — a difference of $11,798 (24.39%).

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

Los Angeles dental assistants earn $23.26/hr while Roseville hygienists earn $28.93/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Roseville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $42,595, Roseville = $53,202), job availability (21,090 vs 35 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $39,245 in Los Angeles and $47,691 in Roseville. The Roseville 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