Dental Assistant Salary in Long Beach, CA: $48,534 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Long Beach, CA earns a median $48,534/year (≈ $23.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $42,912 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, the median annual salary for a dental assistant in Long Beach, California, stands at $48,534, slightly below the national median of $49,579. The local salary range offers opportunities from $34,268 at the lower end (P10) to $67,563 at the higher end (P90), reflecting the differences in organizational structures, particularly between large Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) and individual practices. While those working for streamlined DSO chains often benefit from standardized pay scales, the flexibility and potential for higher earnings in private practices may appeal to dental assistants who prefer varied responsibilities and a more interpersonal working environment. This job market in Long Beach provides a solid avenue for those interested in the dental field, with clear pathways for advancement and specialization.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,268 | $16.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,073 | $21.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,534 | $23.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,390 | $29.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,563 | $32.48 |
Median Salary Position
2.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, CA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,295 (2026 est.). At $48,534, the local median is 2.11% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Long Beach Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $48,534/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $52,926 | -8.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -2.11% less |
Dental Assistants in Long Beach, CA earn a median of $48,534 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.11% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 8.30% below the California state average of $52,926.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,534 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $42,912 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,235
2025 BLS Actual
$47,056
2026 Current Est.
$48,534
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,235 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,311 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,844 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,875 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,558 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,341 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,056 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,534 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,058 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $39,235 (2019) to $47,056 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,058 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,823 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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) | $34,268 – $45,073 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,073 – $48,534 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,534 – $61,390 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,390 – $67,563 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Long Beach
The employment landscape for dental assistants in Long Beach is competitive, with 89 professionals currently working in the area. This localized job market has its challenges, especially when considering the cost of living index of 113.1, which is above the national average. This means that while dental assistant pay in Long Beach CA can be promising, take-home earnings must stretch further to cover daily expenses. Among local employers, specialty practices like orthodontics and oral surgery often offer the most competitive salaries. The pay discrepancy hinges on various factors, such as the complexity of procedures, the level of expanded function authority (EFDA) a dental assistant holds, and whether they operate within DSO structures or private practices. DAs looking to maximize their salary should consider obtaining EFDA certification, as credentialed individuals often see significant pay increases, and explore roles that combine treatment coordination responsibilities, enhancing both skillsets and earning potential in this evolving field.
More salary data for Long Beach, 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 $47,056 for dental assistantsin the Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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