Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Visalia, CA: $23.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Visalia, CA runs $23.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,094 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Visalia's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.8, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,859 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Visalia, California, the dental assistant hourly pay is projected to be $23.12 for 2026, slightly below the national median of $23.84. This hourly rate provides insights into the potential earnings for part-time and per-diem workers in various dental settings such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric offices, or orthodontic clinics. For those working in Visalia intermittently, such as on a three-day work week, the pay can be a substantial addition to their income, allowing flexibility while building experience. The hourly rate ranges from $21.66 for entry-level positions to approximately $29.70 for more experienced assistants, illustrating opportunities for advancement within the profession. The figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to reflect the realities of dental assistant compensation in 2026.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.66 | $173.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.76 | $182.10 |
| Median (P50) | $23.12 | $184.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.39 | $227.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.70 | $237.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Visalia
Based on $23.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.12/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Visalia, CA can expect to earn approximately $48,098 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,749. With a cost-of-living index of 99.83 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Visalia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Visalia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $924.96 | $4,008 | $48,098 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $554.98 | $2,405 | $28,859 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $369.98 | $1,603 | $19,239 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Visalia) | $23.12 |
| 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 Visalia, CA earn a median of $48,094 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.00% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 9.10% below the California state average of $52,909.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.12/hr = $28,859/year (purchasing power: $28,909).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,098/year (purchasing power: $48,182).
CoL index: 99.825 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Visalia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Visalia grew 31.1% from $17.10/hr (2019) to $22.42/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.85/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 Visalia 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 Visalia
For part-time dental assistants working 24 hours a week, their annual income can significantly differ from full-time positions, as they might earn around $28,500 compared to almost $48,000 for those working full-time. Per diem opportunities offer varying pay scales, with dental assistants billing between $22 and $35 per hour for general roles, and specialized positions like oral surgery or orthodontics commanding anywhere from $28 to $45 an hour. Employment settings can influence hourly wages in Visalia, from solo dental practices and dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen to specialty offices, each offering unique compensation packages. Some dental assistants may accept lower pay in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, while others prefer higher hourly rates without benefits. This nuanced dynamic emphasizes the importance of negotiating pay tailored to individual circumstances, particularly in a city like Visalia where dental practices are diversifying.
More salary data for Visalia, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Visalia in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Visalia?
Are dental assistants in Visalia paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Visalia?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Visalia?
Related Pages
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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 Visalia. 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