Dental Assistant Salary in Anaheim, CA: $49,234 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Anaheim, CA earns a median $49,234/year (≈ $23.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Anaheim's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $43,531 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Anaheim, California, dental assistants can anticipate a median annual salary of $49,234 in 2026, positioning them slightly below the national median of $49,579 for the same year. The local salary range for this profession is projected to span from $35,801 at the lower decile to $66,717 at the upper decile, reflecting the varying responsibilities and skills that can influence compensation. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, offering a clearer picture of what dental assistant pay in Anaheim looks like in relation to the broader market. California’s specific regulations regarding expanded function dental assistants (EFDA) allow for higher earnings in this field, further enhancing potential income for those equipped with the appropriate credentials and training.
About the Anaheim Market
Salary estimated from California average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,801 | $17.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,676 | $21.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,234 | $23.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,171 | $29.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,717 | $32.08 |
Median Salary Position
0.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Anaheim
In Anaheim, CA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,916 (2026 est.). At $49,234, the local median is 0.7% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Anaheim: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Anaheim Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Anaheim median: $49,234/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Anaheim Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $52,940 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -0.70% less |
Dental Assistants in Anaheim, CA earn a median of $49,234 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.70% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 7.00% below the California state average of $52,940.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Anaheim has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Anaheim, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,234 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,531 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,801
2025 BLS Actual
$47,735
2026 Current Est.
$49,234
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Anaheim (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,801 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,893 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,391 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,508 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,216 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,269 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,735 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,234 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,780 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Anaheim metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $39,801 (2019) to $47,735 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,780 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,979 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anaheim 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $35,801 – $43,676 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,676 – $49,234 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,234 – $61,171 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,171 – $66,717 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Anaheim
Currently, there are 51 dental assistants employed in Anaheim, indicative of a stable job market for those in this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, it's important for dental assistants in this area to consider how their salaries stack up against living expenses; higher pay is essential for maintaining purchasing power amidst rising costs. Notably, dental practices that tend to pay above average include orthodontic and oral surgery offices, as well as larger DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, which often adhere to tiered pay scales. The variance in salaries can also be attributed to the type of practice, specialty roles such as treatment coordinators, and the EFDA credential, which can result in pay increases of 25-40% in more permissive states. For those aiming to maximize their earnings, seeking opportunities within specialty practices and pursuing additional certifications can be fruitful strategies in the competitive Anaheim market.
More salary data for Anaheim, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental assistants make $100K in Anaheim?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $47,735 for dental assistantsin the Anaheim metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Anaheim 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