Bakersfield offers a mix of short dental assistant programs, private career schools, and lower-cost public training options.
Students can find programs that range from about 10 weeks to 1 year, making it easier to choose a path based on budget, schedule, and how quickly they want to start working.
Dental Assistants annual average salary in California is $45,584 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
#1 Bakersfield Dental Assisting Academy
Bakersfield Dental Assisting Academy is a local, short-term dental assisting school for students who want practical training without spending close to a year in school.
It is a good fit for adults who want a fast, hands-on route into entry-level dental assisting.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assisting program that includes clinical skills, dental technology, chairside assisting basics, and professional preparation.
Tuition includes textbooks, clinical attire, a lab manual, supplies, materials, and hands-on training.
Tuition and Cost
Regular tuition is about $4,000, with promotional pricing sometimes listed around $2,500.
Students should also budget for possible extra costs such as CPR, transportation, and any optional exam or certification fees not included in the tuition package.
Program Length
The program takes about 10 weeks.
Why It Stands Out
This is one of the quickest and most affordable dental assistant training options in Bakersfield.
It is especially useful for students who want a short local program with hands-on practice.
Address: 4801 Wilson Road, Suite A, Bakersfield, CA 93309
#2 UEI College, Bakersfield
UEI College is a private career school with a Bakersfield campus.
It is a good fit for students who want a structured dental assistant program with campus lab training, online coursework, and externship experience.
Programs Offered
UEI offers a Dental Assistant program that covers dental terminology, dental equipment, preventive dentistry, dental office procedures, chairside assisting, and patient care.
The program uses a hybrid format with online lessons and hands-on campus training.
Tuition and Cost
Estimated tuition and fees are commonly around $19,900 to $22,000.
Students should ask the campus for a current cost sheet that includes tuition, books, supplies, uniforms, technology fees, lab fees, and any certification or exam-related expenses.
Program Length
The program can be completed in about 10 months.
Why It Stands Out
UEI stands out for students who want a longer, more guided program than a short 10-week course.
The externship component gives students real dental office exposure before completing the program.
Address: 3737 Rosedale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93308
#3 Milan Institute, Bakersfield
Milan Institute is a private career school with a Bakersfield campus.
It is designed for students who want hands-on career training in a trade-school environment.
Programs Offered
Milan Institute offers a Dental Assistant program that includes administrative procedures, oral health, periodontics, anatomy, dental science, chairside assisting, dental radiology, laboratory procedures, and dental specialties.
Tuition and Cost
Estimated tuition is commonly around $15,500.
Students should ask whether books, supplies, uniforms, lab fees, registration fees, radiography preparation, and exam fees are included in the total cost.
Program Length
The program can be completed in about 36 weeks.
Why It Stands Out
Milan is a solid middle-ground option for students who want more training time than a very short program but do not want a two-year degree path.
Address: 2822 F St, Bakersfield, CA 93301, United States
#4 ROC and CTEC Dental Assistant Program
ROC and CTEC serve the Bakersfield area through Kern High School District.
It offers career-focused training for high school students and some adult learners.
Programs Offered
The Dental Assistant program covers patient care, instrumentation, laboratory duties, restorative procedures, dental specialties, radiology, sterilization, tray set-ups, equipment maintenance, charting, and front office duties.
Tuition and Cost
The program is generally free for high school students and costs about $3,000 for adults.
Students may still need to budget for scrubs, supplies, transportation, and possible testing or certification fees.
Program Length
The program is a one-year course.
Why It Stands Out
This is one of the best-value options in Bakersfield, especially for high school students.
Adult students may also find it much more affordable than many private programs.
Address: 501 So. Mt. Vernon Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93307
#5 California State University, Bakersfield Extended Education
California State University, Bakersfield, Extended Education offers an online entry-level dental assistant program.
It is best for students who want flexibility and are comfortable learning online.
Programs Offered
CSUB Extended Education offers a Dental Assistant Entry Level Program online.
The program includes dental assistant training, career services, coaching, certification preparation materials, and exam fees.
Tuition and Cost
The full program cost is about $3,799.
Students should ask whether the program includes or helps arrange in-person practice, CPR, radiography preparation, scrubs, externship support, and any additional required fees.
Program Length
The program is online and self-paced, so completion time can vary.
Many students should expect several months, depending on how much time they study each week.
Why It Stands Out
CSUB is a flexible option for students who want a university-affiliated online program at a moderate price.
It may work well for students who cannot attend campus several days per week.
Address: 9001 Stockdale Highway, 30BDC, Bakersfield, CA 93311
Schools Summary Table
California Salary by Metro Area
This table provides a breakdown of average salaries by metro area, showing how wages differ across regions within the state using recent BLS data.
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 960 | $51,560 | $24.79 | $77,030 | $37,700 |
| Chico, CA | 250 | $50,890 | $24.46 | $62,090 | $36,440 |
| El Centro, CA | 120 | $55,560 | $26.71 | $81,100 | $38,530 |
| Fresno, CA | 1,450 | $51,520 | $24.77 | $62,550 | $38,190 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 200 | $56,070 | $26.96 | $84,340 | $37,320 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 19,300 | $47,960 | $23.06 | $57,960 | $38,460 |
| Merced, CA | 180 | $51,440 | $24.73 | $60,370 | $36,390 |
| Modesto, CA | 860 | $49,980 | $24.03 | $65,150 | $37,340 |
| Napa, CA | 180 | $57,600 | $27.69 | $74,320 | $39,890 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 930 | $53,790 | $25.86 | $63,440 | $38,790 |
| Redding, CA | 200 | $49,920 | $24.00 | $60,100 | $36,480 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 6,210 | $50,090 | $24.08 | $56,960 | $39,080 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 3,450 | $58,200 | $27.98 | $77,200 | $41,890 |
| Salinas, CA | 510 | $55,460 | $26.66 | $75,270 | $38,660 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 4,230 | $49,290 | $23.70 | $61,570 | $37,460 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 7,100 | $65,070 | $31.29 | $79,350 | $45,440 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 2,840 | $69,810 | $33.56 | $103,860 | $50,340 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 390 | $55,080 | $26.48 | $73,010 | $40,720 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 410 | $53,240 | $25.59 | $62,420 | $43,230 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 590 | $54,650 | $26.27 | $71,770 | $43,980 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 680 | $63,760 | $30.66 | $75,490 | $48,170 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 810 | $51,740 | $24.88 | $68,580 | $39,520 |
| Vallejo, CA | 550 | $58,960 | $28.35 | $74,240 | $45,750 |
| Visalia, CA | 440 | $49,900 | $23.99 | $58,250 | $37,540 |
| Yuba City, CA | 250 | $50,360 | $24.21 | $60,570 | $38,120 |
* Employment conditions may vary by location.
Schools by City in California
- Bakersfield, CA5 Schools
- Fresno, CA8 Schools
- Los Angeles, CA8 Schools
- Oakland, CA7 Schools
- Riverside, CA6 Schools
- Sacramento, CA7 Schools
- San Diego, CA8 Schools
- San Jose, CA6 Schools
