Dental Assistant Salary in Chino Hills, CA: $53,018 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Chino Hills, CA earns a median $53,018/year (≈ $25.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Chino Hills's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $46,877 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chino Hills, California, the projected median annual salary for dental assistants is $53,018 in 2026, reflecting a competitive edge when compared to the national median of $49,579. This salary range extends from $39,985 at the 10th percentile to $67,831 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential within the profession. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. In this market, job seekers may find that working in DSO chains, which often have standardized pay scales, contrasts sharply with the potential income flexibility offered by solo practices, shedding light on the varying compensation structures in Chino Hills.
About the Chino Hills Market
Salary estimated from California average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,985 | $19.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,823 | $22.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,018 | $25.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,929 | $30.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,831 | $32.61 |
Median Salary Position
6.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chino Hills
In Chino Hills, CA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,846 (2026 est.). At $53,018, the local median is 6.94% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chino Hills: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chino Hills Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Chino Hills median: $53,018/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chino Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $52,912 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +6.94% more |
Dental Assistants in Chino Hills, CA earn a median of $53,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.94% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 0.20% above the California state average of $52,912.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chino Hills has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chino Hills, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,018 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,877 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,860
2025 BLS Actual
$51,404
2026 Current Est.
$53,018
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Chino Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,036 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,341 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,929 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,768 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,186 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,404 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,018 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,683 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chino Hills metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $42,860 (2019) to $51,404 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,683 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,823 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chino Hills 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) | $39,985 – $47,823 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,823 – $53,018 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,018 – $63,929 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,929 – $67,831 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Chino Hills
With 21 dental assistants currently employed in the area, job opportunities remain steady despite a cost-of-living index of 113.1, implying that living expenses are higher than the national average. Consequently, this positions dental assistant pay in Chino Hills CA as a critical factor in attracting skilled professionals. Among local employers, DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen typically pay more compared to general practices, which primarily offer standard compensation. The salary variations can be attributed to factors such as specialty roles, additional credentials like EFDA, and the responsibilities of hybrid positions such as treatment coordinators. Given the competitive environment, enhancing qualifications through DANB certification or seeking roles in higher-paying specialties can be effective strategies for maximizing one's dental assistant salary in Chino Hills.
More salary data for Chino Hills, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Chino Hills, CA in 2026?
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Can dental assistants make $100K in Chino Hills?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Chino Hills?
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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 $51,404 for dental assistantsin the Chino Hills 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 Chino Hills 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