Dental Assistant Schools in Bakersfield, California Updated January 26, 2026|
Table of Contents
Dental Assistant programs in Bakersfield, California can help you prepare for a skilled career path. Many programs include classroom instruction and supervised hands-on learning to help you build practical skills before entering the workforce.
Dental assistant Schools Near Bakersfield, California San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield is a Private for-profit, 2-year in Bakersfield, CA. Graduates gain job-ready skills that align with employer demand across CA.
Tuition
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View more Programs Corrections. Dental Assisting/Assistant. Electrician. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician. Corrections.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Dental Assisting/Assistant.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Electrician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Electrician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Electrician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Source: IPEDS · Scorecard · ACCSC
UEI College-Bakersfield is a Private for-profit, <2-year in Bakersfield, CA. Graduates gain job-ready skills that align with employer demand across CA.
Tuition
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View more Programs Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician. Dental Assisting/Assistant. Electrician. Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Dental Assisting/Assistant.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Electrician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Electrician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Electrician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Source: IPEDS · Scorecard · ACCSC
Taft College is a Public, 2-year in Taft, CA. Graduates gain job-ready skills that align with employer demand across CA.
Tuition
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View more Programs Corrections. Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration. Criminal Justice/Police Science. Dental Hygiene/Hygienist. Court Reporting and Captioning/Court Reporter. Corrections.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Criminal Justice/Police Science.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Dental Hygiene/Hygienist.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Dental Hygiene/Hygienist.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Court Reporting and Captioning/Court Reporter.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Source: IPEDS · Scorecard · ACCSC
Milan Institute-Visalia is a Private for-profit, <2-year in Visalia, CA. Graduates gain job-ready skills that align with employer demand across CA.
Tuition
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View more Programs Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General. Dental Assisting/Assistant. Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist. Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage. Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Dental Assisting/Assistant.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Source: IPEDS · Scorecard · ACCSC
Career Care Institute is a Private for-profit, 2-year in Lancaster, CA. Graduates gain job-ready skills that align with employer demand across CA.
Tuition
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View more Programs Dental Assisting/Assistant. Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training. Medical/Clinical Assistant. Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer. Dental Assisting/Assistant.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Medical/Clinical Assistant.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Source: IPEDS · Scorecard · ACCSC
High Desert Medical College is a Private for-profit, 2-year in Lancaster, CA. Graduates gain job-ready skills that align with employer demand across CA.
Tuition
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View more Programs Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide. Dental Assisting/Assistant. Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training. Medical Administrative/Executive Assistant and Medical Secretary. Medical Insurance Coding Specialist/Coder. Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Dental Assisting/Assistant.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Medical Administrative/Executive Assistant and Medical Secretary.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Medical Insurance Coding Specialist/Coder.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Source: IPEDS · Scorecard · ACCSC
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is a Private for-profit, 4-year in Visalia, CA. Graduates gain job-ready skills that align with employer demand across CA.
Tuition
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View more Programs Construction Management, General. Corrections. Dental Assisting/Assistant. Dental Hygiene/Hygienist. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician. Construction Management, General.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Corrections.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Dental Assisting/Assistant.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Dental Hygiene/Hygienist.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Source: IPEDS · Scorecard · ACCSC
Oxnard College is a Public, 2-year in Oxnard, CA. Graduates gain job-ready skills that align with employer demand across CA.
Tuition
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View more Programs Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician. Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician. Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance. Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Source: IPEDS · Scorecard · ACCSC
Allan Hancock College is a Public, 2-year in Santa Maria, CA. Graduates gain job-ready skills that align with employer demand across CA.
Tuition
Contact school for pricing
View more Programs Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician. Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician. Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General. Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Source: IPEDS · Scorecard · ACCSC
UEI College-Reseda is a Private for-profit, <2-year in Reseda, CA. Graduates gain job-ready skills that align with employer demand across CA.
Tuition
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View more Programs Dental Assisting/Assistant. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician. Medical/Clinical Assistant. Dental Assisting/Assistant.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Medical/Clinical Assistant.
Degrees Contact school for degree options
Online availability None Source: IPEDS · Scorecard · ACCSC
Comparing Dental Assistant Schools Near Bakersfield There are 10 schools
within 85 miles of Bakersfield.
School Distance Tuition Grad Rate Type San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield 1.5 mi N/A N/A Private for-profit, 2-year UEI College-Bakersfield 2.2 mi N/A N/A Private for-profit, <2-year Taft College 27.7 mi N/A N/A Public, 2-year Milan Institute-Visalia 65.3 mi N/A N/A Private for-profit, <2-year Career Care Institute 68.2 mi N/A N/A Private for-profit, 2-year High Desert Medical College 68.8 mi N/A N/A Private for-profit, 2-year San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia 69.4 mi N/A N/A Private for-profit, 4-year Oxnard College 82.5 mi N/A N/A Public, 2-year Allan Hancock College 83.3 mi N/A N/A Public, 2-year UEI College-Reseda 84.7 mi N/A N/A Private for-profit, <2-year
Source: National Center for Education Statistics , Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Dental Assistant Salary in California $38,770
$48,910
$72,060
Entry-level
Median
Top earners
Entry-level dental assistants in California earn around
$38,770 per year.
The median salary is $48,910 , which is 3.4% above the national median of $47,300.
Top earners make up to $72,060 per year.
California vs. National Dental Assistant Wages Metric California National Median salary $48,910 $47,300 Average salary $53,570 $48,860 25th percentile $45,630 $39,520 75th percentile $59,960 $56,910 90th percentile $72,060 $61,780
California employs approximately 54,580 dental assistants (3.0 per 1,000 workers, location quotient: 1.24).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.
Dental Assistant Job Outlook 6.4% growth (2024–2034)
Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow
6.4% from 2024 to 2034,
faster than the average for all occupations.
This represents a change from 381,900 to
406,300 jobs nationwide.
About 52,900 openings are projected each year
on average over the decade, driven by workers transferring to other occupations, retiring,
or leaving the labor force.
In California, the concentration of dental assistants is higher than the national average (location quotient: 1.24), which may reflect strong local demand for this trade.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions How much do dental assistants make in California? The median annual salary for dental assistants in California is $48,910. Wages range from $38,770 at the entry level (10th percentile) to $72,060 for top earners (90th percentile). This is based on the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
How many dental assistant schools are near Bakersfield? There are 91 Dental Assistant schools within commuting distance of Bakersfield. The closest is San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield, approximately 1.5 miles away. Programs typically combine classroom instruction with hands-on lab work to prepare graduates for entry-level positions.
What is the job outlook for dental assistants? Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034. About 52,900 job openings are projected each year on average, including positions from growth and replacement needs.
What does dental assistant training cost near Bakersfield? Annual tuition for dental assistant programs near Bakersfield ranges from $1,180 to $1,354. Costs vary based on program length, institution type, and whether the school is public or private. Financial aid and scholarships may be available to help offset costs.
Is a dental assistant in demand in California? Demand for dental assistants in California is higher than average compared to the rest of the country, with a location quotient of 1.24. The state employs 3.0 dental assistants per 1,000 workers.
Other Dental Assistant Schools in California