Dental Assistant Pay

Dental Assistant Salary in Camarillo, CA: $51,250 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Camarillo, CA earns a median $51,250/year (≈ $24.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Camarillo's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $45,314 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the California state average.

$51,250
Median Annual Salary
$24.64/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$40,036
Entry Level (P10)
$65,503
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Assistant Salary in Camarillo, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Camarillo, CA dental assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, dental assistants in Camarillo, California, can expect a median annual salary of $51,250, which reflects a slight increase compared to the national median of $49,579. The salary range for this position varies significantly, with the lowest earners making around $40,036 and the highest reaching up to $65,503. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, taking into account adjustments for local living costs. This salary framework positions dental assistants in Camarillo competitively within the state's healthcare market, especially for those specializing in areas such as oral surgery or orthodontics, where premium wages are more common.

About the Camarillo Market

Salary estimated from California average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$40,036$19.25
Lower Range (P25)$46,105$22.16
Median (P50)(typical)$51,250$24.64
Upper Range (P75)$61,641$29.63
Top Earners (P90)$65,503$31.49

Median Salary Position

$40,036$65,503
City Median: $51,250
National: $49,579
P10–P90 Range

3.37% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Camarillo

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dental assistants in Camarillo. The median salary is $51,250, compared to the national median of $49,579.$36.0K$44.2K$52.4K$60.6K$68.8K$40.0K10th Pctl$46.1K25th Pctl$51.3KMedian$61.6K75th Pctl$65.5K90th PctlUS Median$49.6K

In Camarillo, CA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,467 (2026 est.). At $51,250, the local median is 3.37% above the national median of $49,579.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of dental assistant pay in the Camarillo metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$986
per week
$4,271
per month
$51,252
per year

At 40 hours/week in Camarillo: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Camarillo Dental Assistant Pay Compares

Camarillo median: $51,250/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryCamarillo Pays
California Average$52,944-3.20% less
National Average$49,579+3.37% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental assistant median salary in Camarillo ($51,250) with California average ($52,944) and the US national median ($49,579).Camarillo$51,250California Avg$52,944-3.20%US National$49,579+3.37%

Dental Assistants in Camarillo, CA earn a median of $51,250 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.37% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 3.20% below the California state average of $52,944.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$51,250
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$45,314
Adjusted Salary

Camarillo has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $51,250. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $45,314, a loss of $5,936.$38.5K$43.6K$48.7K$53.8K$58.9K$51,250NominalSalary$45,314CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $49.6K

Camarillo, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,250 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,314 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$41,431

2025 BLS Actual

$49,690

2026 Current Est.

$51,250

2019–2027 Growth

+27.6%

Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Camarillo (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for dental assistants in Camarillo. Baseline $41,431 in 2025, projected to $52,860 by 2027.$36.1K$42.8K$49.6K$56.3K$63.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$41.4K$42.6K$40.0K$46.3K$48.1K$59.1K$49.7K$51.3K$52.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$41,431Actual
2020$42,568Actual
2021$39,963Actual
2022$46,330Actual
2023$48,108Actual
2024$59,145Actual
2025$49,690Actual
2026(current)$51,250Estimated
2027$52,860Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Camarillo metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $41,431 (2019) to $49,690 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,860 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,429 (27.59%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Camarillo metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$40,036$46,105
3-5 years (Mid Career)$46,105$51,250
5+ years (Experienced)$51,250$61,641
10+ years (Top Earner)$61,641$65,503

DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Dental Assistant Job Market in Camarillo

Camarillo's job market for dental assistants currently employs 13 professionals, illustrating a solid base in a city with a cost-of-living index of 113.1, indicating higher expenses compared to the national average. This context is vital for understanding take-home pay in relation to local prices. Among the various employers in the area, specialty dental practices, particularly those focused on orthodontics and oral surgery, tend to offer more lucrative compensation compared to general dental offices. Factors contributing to the salary variation include the demand for specific skill sets, such as expanded function dental assisting (EFDA), and positions that combine treatment coordination roles. To maximize pay in this local market, obtaining additional certifications like DANB or pursuing expanded functions can significantly enhance earning potential, especially as DSO chains like Aspen or Heartland influence wage standards through consolidated pay scales.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dental assistants make in Camarillo, CA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median dental assistant salary in Camarillo is $51,250/year ($24.64/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.14% annual growth). Salaries range from $40,036 at entry level (10th percentile) to $65,503 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Camarillo at 3.4% above the national median. Full-time dental assistants typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Camarillo, CA a good place to work as a dental assistant?

Camarillo dental assistant salaries are 3.4% above the national average and 3.2% below the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 13 dental assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can dental assistants make $100K in Camarillo?

The median dental assistant salary in Camarillo is $51,250, and the 90th percentile earns $65,503. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Camarillo?

After adjusting for Camarillo's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $51,250 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $45,314 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Camarillo reduce the effective value of your salary by 11.6% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Camarillo?

Dental Assistants in Camarillo earn a median hourly rate of $24.64, which translates to approximately $51,250/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $19.25 for entry-level positions to $31.49 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem dental assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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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.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

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 $49,690 for dental assistantsin the Camarillo 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 Camarillo is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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