Dental Assistant Salary in Bellflower, CA: $52,608 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Bellflower, CA earns a median $52,608/year (≈ $25.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Bellflower's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $46,515 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental assistants in Bellflower, California, can expect a median annual salary of $52,608 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position within the dental profession. With a salary range from $39,069 for entry-level positions to $69,965 for those at the top of the earnings bracket, there is room for growth within this field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost considerations, are particularly vibrant due to the presence of specialty practices such as oral surgery and orthodontics, which often command higher wages. As Bellflower continues to exhibit demand for skilled dental assistants, those with advanced qualifications or specialized experience can leverage their skills for significantly higher earnings.
About the Bellflower Market
Salary estimated from California average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,069 | $18.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,963 | $23.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,608 | $25.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,909 | $31.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,965 | $33.63 |
Median Salary Position
6.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellflower
In Bellflower, CA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,896 (2026 est.). At $52,608, the local median is 6.11% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellflower: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellflower Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Bellflower median: $52,608/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellflower Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $52,925 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +6.11% more |
Dental Assistants in Bellflower, CA earn a median of $52,608 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.11% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 0.60% below the California state average of $52,925.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellflower has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellflower, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,608 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,515 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,528
2025 BLS Actual
$51,006
2026 Current Est.
$52,608
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Bellflower (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,528 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,695 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,021 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,557 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,383 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,712 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,006 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,608 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,259 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellflower metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $42,528 (2019) to $51,006 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,259 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,731 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellflower 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) | $39,069 – $48,963 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,963 – $52,608 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,608 – $64,909 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,909 – $69,965 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Bellflower
The local job market consists of eleven employed dental assistants, indicating a concentrated yet competitive environment. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing potential of salaries can be somewhat eroded, necessitating strategic job choices to optimize earnings. Among employers, specialty orthodontic and oral surgery practices are known to offer some of the highest dental assistant pay in Bellflower, CA. Factors such as advanced certifications, like expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) credentials, can substantially increase earning potential, often by 25-40% in permissive states. Additionally, roles that blend responsibilities such as treatment coordination or those within DSO chains like Heartland or Pacific Dental capitalize on pay scales that are often more lucrative than traditional general practices. Understanding these nuances can equip dental assistants with the insights needed to maximize their salary in the Bellflower market.
More salary data for Bellflower, 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
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 $51,006 for dental assistantsin the Bellflower 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 Bellflower 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