Dental Assistant Salary in Vallejo, CA: $60,853 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Vallejo, CA earns a median $60,853/year (≈ $29.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Vallejo's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $56,097 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Vallejo, California, dental assistants earn a median annual salary of $60,853 in 2026, notably surpassing the national median of $49,579 by 22.74%. This salary is supported by a projected salary range of $46,826 at the 10th percentile to $79,727 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the premium associated with specialty practices. According to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, Vallejo's burgeoning dental sector, particularly in oral surgery and orthodontics, drives this higher compensation. As the job market continues to expand, dental assistants in the area can anticipate solid job opportunities, given the increasing demand for dental services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,826 | $22.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,487 | $24.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,853 | $29.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,263 | $37.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,727 | $38.33 |
Median Salary Position
22.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vallejo
In Vallejo, CA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,901 (2026 est.). At $60,853, the local median is 22.74% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vallejo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vallejo Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Vallejo median: $60,853/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vallejo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $52,915 | +15.00% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +22.74% more |
Dental Assistants in Vallejo, CA earn a median of $60,853 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.74% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 15.00% above the California state average of $52,915.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vallejo has a cost of living 8.48% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vallejo, CA has a cost-of-living index of 108.479 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,853 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,097 — a 7.82% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,850
2025 BLS Actual
$59,000
2026 Current Est.
$60,853
2019–2027 Growth
+25.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Vallejo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,853 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,763 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vallejo metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 18.4% from $49,850 (2019) to $59,000 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,763 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,913 (25.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vallejo 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) | $46,826 – $51,487 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,487 – $60,853 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,853 – $78,263 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,263 – $79,727 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Vallejo
Examining the local job market, approximately 630 dental assistants are employed in Vallejo, CA. The cost of living index in the area stands at 108.479, slightly above the national average, which impacts take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers that typically offer higher salaries include orthodontic practices and oral surgery centers, often due to specialized training requirements and the ability to perform advanced procedures. The variation in pay can also be attributed to roles that blend tasks, such as treatment coordinators or those with Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) certification where permitted. As the dental support landscape continues to evolve, enhancing skills through certifications or pursuing roles in organizations like Heartland or Pacific Dental can be beneficial strategies for enhancing dental assistant pay in Vallejo.
More salary data for Vallejo, 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 $59,000 for dental assistantsin the Vallejo 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