Dental Assistant Salary in Buena Park, CA: $53,593 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Buena Park, CA earns a median $53,593/year (≈ $25.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Buena Park's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $47,385 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buena Park, CA, the projected salary for dental assistants is quite competitive, with an estimated median annual income of $53,593 for 2026. This figure represents a favorable position compared to the national median of $49,579, reflecting an increase of 8.10% in local earnings. The salary range for dental assistants in this area stretches from $41,413 at the 10th percentile to $67,931 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a significant disparity based on experience, qualifications, and employment settings. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments indicate that dental assistants in Buena Park can find lucrative opportunities in larger DSO chains, which often have structured pay scales, compared to the more variable compensation seen in solo dental practices.
About the Buena Park Market
Salary estimated from California average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,413 | $19.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,045 | $23.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,593 | $25.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,118 | $30.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,931 | $32.65 |
Median Salary Position
8.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buena Park
In Buena Park, CA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,518 (2026 est.). At $53,593, the local median is 8.1% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buena Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buena Park Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Buena Park median: $53,593/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buena Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $52,905 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +8.10% more |
Dental Assistants in Buena Park, CA earn a median of $53,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.10% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 1.30% above the California state average of $52,905.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buena Park has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buena Park, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,593 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,385 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,324
2025 BLS Actual
$51,961
2026 Current Est.
$53,593
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Buena Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,324 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,513 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,789 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,448 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,307 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,849 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,961 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,593 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,275 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buena Park metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $43,324 (2019) to $51,961 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,275 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,951 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buena Park 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) | $41,413 – $49,045 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,045 – $53,593 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,593 – $64,118 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,118 – $67,931 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Buena Park
With only 20 dental assistants employed locally, the job market in Buena Park remains tight, creating opportunities for those entering the field. The prevailing cost of living index of 113.1 signifies this area is above the national average, thereby affecting take-home pay figures and purchasing power. Employers such as DSO chains, including Heartland and Aspen, typically offer the highest wages, often attributed to their structured pay scales and standardized training programs. Additionally, specialized roles in oral surgery and orthodontics tend to yield better compensation compared to general practices. To enhance earning potential, dental assistants can pursue expanded function certifications where applicable and consider hybrid roles such as treatment coordinators, capitalizing on the growing demand for multifaceted professionals in the dental sector.
More salary data for Buena Park, 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 $51,961 for dental assistantsin the Buena Park 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 Buena Park 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