Dental Assistant Salary in Santa Monica, CA: $53,488 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Santa Monica, CA earns a median $53,488/year (≈ $25.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Santa Monica's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $47,293 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Santa Monica, CA, can expect a projected median annual salary of $53,488. This local figure is notably higher than the national median of $49,579, reflecting California’s advanced EFDA expanded function authority that qualifies dental assistants for higher responsibilities and subsequently increased pay compared to states with less stringent regulations. Salaries in this field range from approximately $41,106 at the 10th percentile to $67,448 at the 90th percentile. These figures, which are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, underscore a strong compensation environment, likely influenced by local demand and specialization in dental services within Santa Monica’s robust healthcare market.
About the Santa Monica Market
Salary estimated from California average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,106 | $19.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,822 | $23.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,488 | $25.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,907 | $30.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,448 | $32.43 |
Median Salary Position
7.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Monica
In Santa Monica, CA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,342 (2026 est.). At $53,488, the local median is 7.88% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Monica: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Monica Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Santa Monica median: $53,488/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Monica Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $52,906 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +7.88% more |
Dental Assistants in Santa Monica, CA earn a median of $53,488 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.88% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 1.10% above the California state average of $52,906.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Monica has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Monica, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,488 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,293 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,240
2025 BLS Actual
$51,860
2026 Current Est.
$53,488
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Santa Monica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,427 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,708 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,354 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,209 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,728 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,488 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,168 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Monica metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $43,240 (2019) to $51,860 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,168 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,928 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Monica 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) | $41,106 – $48,822 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,822 – $53,488 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,488 – $63,907 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,907 – $67,448 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Santa Monica
Despite a modest employment base of only 20 dental assistants in the area, Santa Monica’s cost of living, indexed at 113.1, significantly impacts take-home purchasing power, pushing salaries to accommodate higher living expenses. Among various employers, general dental practices and corporate chains like Heartland and Aspen typically offer competitive pay, but specialty offices in orthodontics and oral surgery may present the highest salary potential. The variation in salaries is driven by factors such as specialization, EFDA certification, and hybrid roles, including treatment coordinators. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, aspiring dental assistants should consider attaining EFDA credentials and seeking opportunities within specialty practices, while also exploring dual skill sets that can open avenues for higher wages.
More salary data for Santa Monica, 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 $51,860 for dental assistantsin the Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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