Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Modesto, CA: $24.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Modesto, CA runs $24.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,745 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Modesto's regional price level (BEA RPP 104.1, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,047 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Modesto, California, the projected median hourly pay for dental assistants is $24.88, which is notably higher than the national average of $23.84 per hour. This robust hourly rate offers lucrative opportunities for both part-time workers and those pursuing per diem positions within various clinical settings, including general dentistry operatories, pediatric dental environments, orthodontic practices, and dental school clinics. Entry-level dental assistants in the area can expect to earn around $19.04 per hour, while seasoned professionals may achieve top-tier rates of up to $30.97. According to 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this reflects a growing demand for skilled dental assistants in Modesto, driven in part by the increasing consolidation among dental service organizations (DSOs) and the need for standardized training across practices.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.04 | $152.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.42 | $187.38 |
| Median (P50) | $24.88 | $199.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.59 | $236.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.97 | $247.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Modesto
Based on $24.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.88/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Modesto, CA can expect to earn approximately $51,745 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,853. With a cost-of-living index of 104.11 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Modesto.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Modesto
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $995.09 | $4,312 | $51,745 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $597.06 | $2,587 | $31,047 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $398.04 | $1,725 | $20,698 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Modesto) | $24.88 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Modesto, CA earn a median of $51,745 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.37% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 2.20% below the California state average of $52,909.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.88/hr = $31,047/year (purchasing power: $29,822).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,745/year (purchasing power: $49,703).
CoL index: 104.108 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Modesto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Modesto grew 42.3% from $16.95/hr (2019) to $24.12/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.66/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Modesto metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Modesto
Considering a part-time schedule of three days a week, a dental assistant in Modesto could take home around $38,817 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart earning a full-time salary. Per diem dental assistant pay in Modesto varies widely, with rates typically ranging from $22 to $35 per hour. For specialized roles such as oral surgery or orthodontics, rates can climb higher, reaching between $28 and $45 per hour. This disparity is further affected by the type of employer; general dental offices often pay slightly lower rates compared to specialty practices and DSOs. Many dental assistants face the choice between accepting lower hourly rates with benefits or higher pay without health insurance. For those negotiating hourly pay, articulating your skills, demonstrating specialized training, and being aware of the prevalent rates in Modesto's job market can bolster one's position. The evolving landscape of dental assistance careers in CA emphasizes the importance of continued education and certification from organizations like DANB or expanded function training to maximize earning potential.
More salary data for Modesto, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Modesto. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov