Dental Assistant salary in California
Dental Assistants in California earn a median of $50,110 a year ($24.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 56,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,700 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $48,070. California ranks 14th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 3.1 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| 25th percentile | $46,270 | $22.25 |
| Median | $50,110 | $24.09 |
| 75th percentile | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,700 | $35.43 |
| Average (mean) | $54,710 | $26.30 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,175.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,087.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,927.31 |
| Weekly | $963.65 |
| Hourly | $24.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $74,600 | 2,870 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $64,390 | 7,530 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $60,590 | 680 |
| Napa, CA | $60,270 | 230 |
| Vallejo, CA | $59,000 | 630 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $58,930 | 1,250 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $58,580 | 3,100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $58,580 | 370 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $58,120 | 4,260 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $57,150 | 440 |
| Salinas, CA | $56,790 | 570 |
| El Centro, CA | $56,050 | 130 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $51,310 | 610 |
| Modesto, CA | $50,170 | 890 |
| Fresno, CA | $50,040 | 1,360 |
| Yuba City, CA | $50,030 | 240 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $49,980 | 200 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $49,090 | 780 |
| Merced, CA | $48,520 | 250 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $48,500 | 5,240 |
| Redding, CA | $48,490 | 240 |
| Chico, CA | $48,170 | 290 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $48,100 | 990 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $46,900 | 21,090 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,630 | 480 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $49,660 | $23.88 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,130 | $23.62 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,260 | $22.24 |
| Massage Therapist | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Phlebotomist | $56,040 | $26.94 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $61,370 | $29.50 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $42,200 | $20.29 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $83,110 | $39.96 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Orderly | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $81,770 | $39.31 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in California?
The median salary for dental assistants in California is $50,110 a year, or $24.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in California?
The top 10% of dental assistants in California earn at least $73,700 a year. The top 25% earn $60,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,790 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $46,270 or less.
How many dental assistants work in California?
About 56,220 dental assistants are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.