Dental Assistant Salary in Modesto, CA: $51,745 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Modesto, CA earns a median $51,745/year (≈ $24.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Modesto's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.1), that paycheck buys what $49,703 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Modesto, CA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $51,745, which is slightly higher than the national median of $49,579. This increase can be attributed in part to California's expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) rules, which allow certain dental assistants to perform more specialized tasks, often resulting in higher pay. The salary range for this role in Modesto extends from $39,606 at the 10th percentile to $64,421 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflect a competitive job market that values specialized skills and responsibilities, positioning dental assistants in the region to capitalize on diverse opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,606 | $19.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,713 | $23.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,745 | $24.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,554 | $29.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,421 | $30.97 |
Median Salary Position
4.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Modesto
In Modesto, CA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,815 (2026 est.). At $51,745, the local median is 4.37% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Modesto: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Modesto Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Modesto median: $51,745/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Modesto Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $52,909 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +4.37% more |
Dental Assistants in Modesto, CA earn a median of $51,745 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.37% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 2.20% below the California state average of $52,909.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Modesto has a cost of living 4.11% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Modesto, CA has a cost-of-living index of 104.108 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,745 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,703 — a 3.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,260
2025 BLS Actual
$50,170
2026 Current Est.
$51,745
2019–2027 Growth
+51.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Modesto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,745 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,370 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Modesto metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 42.3% from $35,260 (2019) to $50,170 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,370 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,110 (51.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Modesto 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) | $39,606 – $48,713 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,713 – $51,745 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,745 – $61,554 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,554 – $64,421 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Modesto
Employing around 890 dental assistants, Modesto's job market seems robust despite a cost-of-living index of 104.108, which indicates that living expenses are above the national average. This factor can impact the take-home purchasing power of dental assistants. Among local employers, pediatric dental offices and oral surgery practices tend to offer the most competitive compensation. The spread in salaries can be traced back to the nature of the practice—specialties like oral surgery or orthodontics often command higher wages. Furthermore, those with EFDA credentials, treatment coordinator roles, or positions in dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Aspen may experience improved pay scales. To maximize earnings in this market, pursuing additional certifications and building experience in higher-paying specialties can be lucrative strategies for dental assistants looking to advance their careers in Modesto.
More salary data for Modesto, 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 $50,170 for dental assistantsin the Modesto 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