Dental Assistant Salary in Chico, CA: $49,683 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Chico, CA earns a median $49,683/year (≈ $23.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Chico's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.2), that paycheck buys what $49,095 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chico, California, dental assistants earn a median annual salary of $49,683 in 2026, slightly higher than the national median of $49,579. The salary range extends from $39,771 at the lower end to $62,874 for those in higher-paying roles. Salaries can vary significantly based on specialty, with positions in oral surgery and orthodontics often commanding a premium. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, reflects the ongoing demand for skilled dental assistants in the area, providing stability and growth potential in this profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,771 | $19.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,115 | $23.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,683 | $23.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,502 | $29.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,874 | $30.23 |
Median Salary Position
0.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chico
In Chico, CA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,103 (2026 est.). At $49,683, the local median is 0.21% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chico: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chico Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Chico median: $49,683/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chico Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $52,910 | -6.10% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +0.21% more |
Dental Assistants in Chico, CA earn a median of $49,683 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.21% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 6.10% below the California state average of $52,910.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chico has a cost of living 1.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chico, CA has a cost-of-living index of 101.197 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,683 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,095 — a 1.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,060
2025 BLS Actual
$48,170
2026 Current Est.
$49,683
2019–2027 Growth
+19.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Chico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,683 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,243 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chico metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 11.9% from $43,060 (2019) to $48,170 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,243 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,183 (19.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chico 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) | $39,771 – $48,115 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,115 – $49,683 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,683 – $60,502 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,502 – $62,874 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Chico
With approximately 290 dental assistants employed in Chico, the job market remains robust despite the cost of living index being slightly above the national average at 101.197. This indexing means that while salaries may seem competitive, the purchasing power can be affected. Employers within the area, particularly those in specialty practices such as orthodontics and oral surgery, typically offer higher compensation compared to general dental offices. Factors contributing to the pay variability include the type of dental practice, the credentials possessed by the assistant—such as EFDA certification—and additional roles like treatment coordinators. To maximize earning potential, dental assistants can seek positions in thriving DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, pursue further certifications, and consider transitioning into hybrid roles that combine responsibilities to enhance their market value in Chico, CA.
More salary data for Chico, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental assistants make $100K in Chico?
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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 $48,170 for dental assistantsin the Chico 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
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