Dental Assistant Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $48,373 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $48,373/year (≈ $23.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $42,595 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.6% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the dental assistant salary in Los Angeles, California, is projected at a median annual figure of $48,373, slightly below the national average. These professionals can expect to earn between $39,245 at the 10th percentile and up to $60,749 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data. Reaching higher salary brackets often correlates with specialization in oral surgery, orthodontics, or other higher-paying fields, which can significantly impact a dental assistant's pay. This distinction is crucial in the competitive Los Angeles market, where the demand for skilled dental assistants continues to grow in various practices ranging from private offices to larger dental service organizations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,245 | $18.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,609 | $22.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,373 | $23.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,189 | $25.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,749 | $29.21 |
Median Salary Position
2.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,504 (2026 est.). At $48,373, the local median is 2.43% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Angeles Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $48,373/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $52,924 | -8.60% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -2.43% less |
Dental Assistants in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $48,373 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.43% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 8.60% below the California state average of $52,924.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,373 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $42,595 — a 11.94% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,800
2025 BLS Actual
$46,900
2026 Current Est.
$48,373
2019–2027 Growth
+28.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,373 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,892 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 20.9% from $38,800 (2019) to $46,900 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,892 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,092 (28.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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) | $39,245 – $46,609 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,609 – $48,373 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,373 – $52,189 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,189 – $60,749 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Los Angeles
The local employment scene for dental assistants is robust, with approximately 21,090 individuals working in this capacity in Los Angeles. However, the cost of living index stands at 113.566, indicating that expenses in the area surpass national averages, which can affect disposable income and purchasing power. Among the highest-paying employers are specialized practices, including oral surgery and orthodontics, which typically offer better compensation compared to general dentistry offices. Factors contributing to the wide pay range include the level of specialization, whether one holds an EFDA credential in states that recognize expanded functions, and the complexity of roles such as treatment coordinators. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Los Angeles, strategic moves such as gaining certifications, seeking roles in high-demand specialties, or targeting employment with larger DSO chains can significantly elevate overall compensation in this evolving field.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
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Can dental assistants make $100K in Los Angeles?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Los Angeles?
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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 $46,900 for dental assistantsin the Los Angeles 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