Dental Assistant Salary in Redlands, CA: $53,538 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Redlands, CA earns a median $53,538/year (≈ $25.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Redlands's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $47,337 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For dental assistants in Redlands, California, the median annual salary is projected to be $53,538 in 2026, which represents an attractive increment over the national median of $49,579. Local salaries range significantly, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $41,282, while the top 90% can command up to $69,703. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate a competitive pay scale that varies greatly depending on the setting. Dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Pacific Dental offer standardized pay structures that contrast with the more flexible compensation models typically found in solo or small group practices. Consequently, candidates in Redlands should evaluate their employment options carefully to maximize their earning potential, factoring in the structure of their workplace and the type of dentistry they wish to practice.
About the Redlands Market
Salary estimated from California average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,282 | $19.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,929 | $23.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,538 | $25.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,158 | $31.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,703 | $33.51 |
Median Salary Position
7.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Redlands
In Redlands, CA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,421 (2026 est.). At $53,538, the local median is 7.99% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Redlands: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Redlands Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Redlands median: $53,538/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Redlands Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $52,903 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +7.99% more |
Dental Assistants in Redlands, CA earn a median of $53,538 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.99% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 1.20% above the California state average of $52,903.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Redlands has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Redlands, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,538 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,337 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,280
2025 BLS Actual
$51,908
2026 Current Est.
$53,538
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Redlands (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,468 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,747 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,399 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,256 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,786 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,908 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,538 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,219 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Redlands metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $43,280 (2019) to $51,908 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,219 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,939 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Redlands 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) | $41,282 – $48,929 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,929 – $53,538 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,538 – $65,158 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,158 – $69,703 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Redlands
The job market for dental assistants in Redlands is relatively modest, with only 16 professionals currently employed in the area. Despite this limited number, the cost of living here is above the national average, with a cost-of-living index of 113.1, meaning that take-home pay must effectively cover higher expenses. Employers in Redlands that tend to offer the highest wages include specialty practices such as orthodontics and oral surgery, which often seek dental assistants with expanded function authority (EFDA) credentials. The disparity in pay can also result from different roles, where treatment coordinator or mentor positions within DSOs may lead to elevated salaries. To boost earning potential, dental assistants should consider obtaining additional certifications from recognized bodies like DANB, as well as seeking employment within larger DSO chains that prioritize tier-based pay scales and formal training programs.
More salary data for Redlands, 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 $51,908 for dental assistantsin the Redlands 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 Redlands 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