Dental Assistants Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $49,030 +3.7% vs national
Median hourly $23.57
10th percentile $39,080
90th percentile $56,960
Employed locally 6,210
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
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Riverside, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,080
    25th
    $46,860
    50th (median)
    $49,030
    75th
    $55,950
    90th
    $56,960

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 57% Median Dental Assistants salary is 43% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Dental Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $65,360
    Minnesota $64,630
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $64,600
    Rochester, MN $62,990
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,700
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,620

    Nearby metros — Dental Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $64,600
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,700
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,620
    Vallejo, CA $60,220
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $60,080
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $59,270

    Related occupations in Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $33,280
    Medical Assistants $42,720
    Nursing Assistants $44,950
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $53,370
    Phlebotomists $50,490
    Massage Therapists $47,570

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in Riverside?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Riverside, CA is $23.57, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.17 or more per hour.

    Is Riverside above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Riverside, CA is 3.7% above the national median of $47,300. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Dental Assistants in Riverside?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $39,080 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,860.