Dental Assistant Salary in Stockton, CA: $50,631 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Stockton, CA earns a median $50,631/year (≈ $24.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Stockton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.1), that paycheck buys what $48,179 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Stockton, California, the dental assistant salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $50,631 in 2026, which reflects a 2.12% increase over the national median of $49,579. Salary in this field can vary widely, with the range extending from $41,968 at the 10th percentile to $68,547 at the 90th percentile. The figures are based on the 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected forward, highlighting the value of specialized roles. Dental assistants in oral surgery and orthodontic practices can expect premiums that boost their earnings, setting them apart from their counterparts in general dentistry. As Stockton experiences a steady job growth trend, professionals in this field have the opportunity to advance their careers and compensation through specialization.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,968 | $20.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,393 | $23.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,631 | $24.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,049 | $29.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,547 | $32.95 |
Median Salary Position
2.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stockton
In Stockton, CA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,579 (2026 est.). At $50,631, the local median is 2.12% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stockton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Stockton Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Stockton median: $50,631/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stockton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $52,906 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +2.12% more |
Dental Assistants in Stockton, CA earn a median of $50,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.12% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 4.30% below the California state average of $52,906.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stockton has a cost of living 5.09% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Stockton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 105.089 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,631 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,179 — a 4.84% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,030
2025 BLS Actual
$49,090
2026 Current Est.
$50,631
2019–2027 Growth
+49.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,631 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,221 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stockton metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 40.1% from $35,030 (2019) to $49,090 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,221 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,191 (49.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stockton 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) | $41,968 – $48,393 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,393 – $50,631 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,631 – $61,049 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,049 – $68,547 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Stockton
The local job market comprises approximately 780 dental assistants, reflecting a solid demand for skilled professionals in Stockton. However, the cost of living index at 105.089 indicates that while earnings may be competitive, the purchasing power is slightly above the national average. Among potential employers, specialized practices—such as orthodontics and oral surgery—tend to offer the highest salaries compared to general dental practices. Factors contributing to the pay scale include the specialty focus, the potential for expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) roles where state regulations allow, and hybrid positions that combine treatment coordination responsibilities with dental assisting. For those looking to maximize their dental assistant pay in Stockton, pursuing additional certifications through organizations like DANB and considering positions with large dental service organizations (DSOs) may provide pathways to higher earnings and career growth.
More salary data for Stockton, 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 $49,090 for dental assistantsin the Stockton 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