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Dental Assistants Salary in California
Ranked #10 of 50 · CA
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of dental assistantss in California earn between $38,790 and $73,700. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean dental assistants salary in California is $54,710, about 9% above the U.S. average ($50,200). That works out to roughly $26/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in California
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $74,600 | $71,150 | 2,870 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $64,390 | $64,900 | 7,530 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $60,590 | $62,500 | 680 |
| Napa, CA | $60,270 | $59,570 | 230 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $59,540 | $59,150 | 210 |
| Vallejo, CA | $59,000 | $61,120 | 630 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $58,930 | $55,210 | 1,250 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $58,580 | $57,840 | 3,100 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in California?
The median dental assistants salary in California is $50,110 per year (mean $54,710), and about 80% earn between $38,790 and $73,700.
How much do dental assistants make per hour in California?
Roughly $26 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $54,710 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is California a high-paying state for dental assistants?
California ranks #10 of 50 states for dental assistants pay. Its mean salary of $54,710 is about 9% above the U.S. average of $50,200.
Which metro areas in California pay dental assistants the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in California for dental assistants are San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($74,600), San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($64,390), Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA ($60,590), by median annual wage.