Dental Assistants pay in California
In California, the median pay for dental assistants is $24.09 an hour ($50,110 a year). About 56,220 people work in this job there.
That is 4% higher than the U.S. median ($48,070). California ranks 14th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for dental assistants in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.65 | $38,790 |
| 25% of workers | $22.25 | $46,270 |
| Half of workers (median) | $24.09 | $50,110 |
| 75% of workers | $29.17 | $60,670 |
| 90% of workers | $35.43 | $73,700 |
Dental Assistants pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $74,600 | 2,870 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $64,390 | 7,530 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $60,590 | 680 |
| Napa | $60,270 | 230 |
| Vallejo | $59,000 | 630 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $58,930 | 1,250 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $58,580 | 3,100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $58,580 | 370 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $58,120 | 4,260 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $57,150 | 440 |
| Salinas | $56,790 | 570 |
| El Centro | $56,050 | 130 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $51,310 | 610 |
| Modesto | $50,170 | 890 |
| Fresno | $50,040 | 1,360 |
| Yuba City | $50,030 | 240 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $49,980 | 200 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $49,090 | 780 |
| Merced | $48,520 | 250 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $48,500 | 5,240 |
| Redding | $48,490 | 240 |
| Chico | $48,170 | 290 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $48,100 | 990 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $46,900 | 21,090 |
| Visalia | $46,630 | 480 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for dental assistants
- Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +7.4% over ten years, faster than average · about 53,000 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistants | $49,660 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,390 |
| Dental Hygienists | $124,930 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,130 |
| Surgical Technologists | $81,310 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $60,630 |
| Physical Therapist Aides | $38,330 |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | $47,410 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.