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Dental Assistants Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Dental Assistants make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$50,110
Median Annual Salary
▲
+2.5% vs 2024
$54,710
Mean Salary
$50,110
Median Salary
$24.09
Hourly Rate
56,220 people work as Dental Assistants in California
Dental Assistants salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Dental Assistants in California earn a median salary of $50,110 per year ($4,175/month).
This is 2.1% above the national average of $49,100.
California ranks #14 out of 50 states for Dental Assistants pay.
Approximately 56,220 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries increased by 2.5% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Dental Assistants
Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
Top Skills
Active Listening
3.88
Speaking
3.38
Reading Comprehension
3.25
Active Learning
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Key Knowledge Areas
Customer and Personal Service
4.54
Medicine and Dentistry
4.41
English Language
3.76
Administration and Management
3.47
Administrative
3.45
Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate
(46.0% of workers)
Salaries for Dental Assistants in California range from $38,790 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $73,700 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $46,270 and $60,670.
Median $50,110
P10: $38,790P25: $46,270P75: $60,670P90: $73,700
10th
$38,790
25th
$46,270
Median
$50,110
75th
$60,670
90th
$73,700
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$38,790
$18.65
$3,232
25th Percentile
$46,270
$22.25
$3,855
Median (50th)
$50,110
$24.09
$4,175
75th Percentile
$60,670
$29.17
$5,055
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$73,700
$35.43
$6,141
Note: The mean (average) salary of $54,710 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Dental Assistants in California is $50,110 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $54,710.
What is the salary range for a Dental Assistants in California?
Salaries for Dental Assistants in California range from $38,790 at the 10th percentile to $73,700 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $46,270 and $60,670.
What is the starting salary for a Dental Assistants in California?
Entry-level Dental Assistants positions in California typically start around $38,790 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $46,270 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Dental Assistants in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 56,220 people are employed as Dental Assistants in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Dental Assistants in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Dental Assistants in California is approximately $24.09 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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