Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Tustin, CA: $25.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Tustin, CA runs $25.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,868 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Tustin's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,716 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistant hourly pay in Tustin, CA, is projected to be quite competitive, with a median rate of $25.41 per hour, notably exceeding the national median hourly wage of $23.84. This means that dental assistants working in Tustin can expect a favorable hourly compensation compared to many other regions. For those considering part-time positions, such as working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to better earning potential as they can earn approximately $1,025 for a standard 40-hour workweek. Entry-level dental assistants can expect to earn around $18.98 per hour, while those who excel in their careers can reach hourly rates as high as $32.44. Opportunities in various clinical settings, including general dentistry operatories and pediatric examination rooms, can offer varying compensation based on the employer and the specific duties performed.
About the Tustin Market
Salary estimated from California average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.98 | $151.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.84 | $182.68 |
| Median (P50) | $25.41 | $203.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.54 | $244.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.44 | $259.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tustin
Based on $25.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.41/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tustin, CA can expect to earn approximately $52,860 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,496. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tustin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tustin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,016.55 | $4,405 | $52,860 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $609.93 | $2,643 | $31,716 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $406.62 | $1,762 | $21,144 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Tustin) | $25.41 |
| 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 Tustin, CA earn a median of $52,868 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.63% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 0.10% below the California state average of $52,920.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.41/hr = $31,716/year (purchasing power: $28,043).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,860/year (purchasing power: $46,738).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Tustin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Tustin grew 19.9% from $20.54/hr (2019) to $24.64/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.21/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 Tustin 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 Tustin
Shifting focus to part-time and per-diem opportunities, dental assistants in Tustin can experience significant variation in their earnings. A dental assistant working a part-time schedule of 24 hours per week may bring home around $31,829 annually, while full-time staff have the potential for higher earnings, up to about $52,868 annually, based on full scheduling. Per-diem positions are another avenue, where dental assistants often bill between $22 and $35 per hour, with specialty areas such as oral surgery or orthodontics yielding even higher rates ranging from $28 to $45 per hour. Dental assistants employed in different types of practices, from solo general offices to large dental service organizations like Heartland and Pacific Dental, typically see varied pay structures, with pediatric and specialty offices often offering more competitive compensation. Aspiring dental assistants should consider the trade-off between lower hourly rates that come with benefits and higher rates without, enabling them to navigate their career paths effectively. Networking, leveraging local job boards, and connecting with staffing agencies can provide an edge when negotiating hourly wages in Tustin's evolving dental landscape.
More salary data for Tustin, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Tustin in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Tustin?
Are dental assistants in Tustin paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Tustin?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Tustin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Tustin. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tustin is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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