Dental Assistant Salary in Woodland, CA: $53,601 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Woodland, CA earns a median $53,601/year (≈ $25.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Woodland's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $47,393 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Woodland, California, the dental assistant salary in Woodland is anticipated to reach a median annual figure of $53,601 by 2026, showcasing a notable premium compared to the national median of $49,579. The salary range for this role varies significantly, from $41,378 at the 10th percentile to $69,777 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse opportunities in the local market. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, indicate that professionals working in specialized settings, such as orthodontic and oral surgery practices, can expect substantially higher compensation. This competitive job landscape points to a growing demand for skilled dental assistants in Woodland, particularly as practices expand their services and patient care capabilities.
About the Woodland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,378 | $19.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,064 | $23.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,601 | $25.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,353 | $31.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,777 | $33.55 |
Median Salary Position
8.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woodland
In Woodland, CA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,399 (2026 est.). At $53,601, the local median is 8.11% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Woodland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Woodland Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Woodland median: $53,601/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Woodland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $52,913 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +8.11% more |
Dental Assistants in Woodland, CA earn a median of $53,601 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.11% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 1.30% above the California state average of $52,913.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Woodland has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Woodland, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,601 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,393 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,331
2025 BLS Actual
$51,969
2026 Current Est.
$53,601
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Woodland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,331 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,796 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,455 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,315 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,859 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,969 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,601 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,284 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Woodland metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $43,331 (2019) to $51,969 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,284 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,953 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woodland 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) | $41,378 – $49,064 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,064 – $53,601 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,601 – $65,353 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,353 – $69,777 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Woodland
In terms of local job market dynamics, Woodland currently employs around 15 dental assistants, highlighting a focused yet potentially saturated workforce. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, financial realities come into play for any dental assistant considering their take-home pay and purchasing power in the region. Among the highest-paying opportunities, those in orthodontic and oral surgery practices typically offer better salaries compared to general dental practices or pediatric offices. The variation in pay can be attributed to factors such as specialization, the presence of expanded function dental assistants (EFDAs) in skills-permissive states, and roles that combine treatment coordination duties. For those in Woodland looking to optimize their dental assistant pay, acquiring further credentials such as EFDA or pursing positions in DSOs like Heartland or Aspen, which are reshaping pay structures through standardized scales, could enhance long-term earnings potential.
More salary data for Woodland, 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 $51,969 for dental assistantsin the Woodland 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 Woodland 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