How much does a dental assistant make in California?
$50,110a year
Median yearly pay for dental assistants in California. That is $24.09 an hour or $4,176 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.09
- Vs. national median
- +4%
- Rank among states
- 14 of 50
- Jobs in the state
- 56,220
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,790Median: $50,110Highest 10%: $73,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,790 | $18.65 | |
| 25th | $46,270 | $22.25 | |
| Median | $50,110 | $24.09 | |
| 75th | $60,670 | $29.17 | |
| 90th | $73,700 | $35.43 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $74,600 |
| San Francisco, CA | $64,390 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $60,590 |
| Napa, CA | $60,270 |
| Vallejo, CA | $59,000 |
| Oxnard, CA | $58,930 |
| Sacramento, CA | $58,580 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $58,580 |
| San Diego, CA | $58,120 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $57,150 |
| Salinas, CA | $56,790 |
| El Centro, CA | $56,050 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $51,310 |
| Modesto, CA | $50,170 |
| Fresno, CA | $50,040 |
| Yuba City, CA | $50,030 |
| Hanford, CA | $49,980 |
| Stockton, CA | $49,090 |
| Merced, CA | $48,520 |
| Riverside, CA | $48,500 |
| Redding, CA | $48,490 |
| Chico, CA | $48,170 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $48,100 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $46,900 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,630 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for dental assistants.
| 11. Vermont | $52,760 |
| 12. North Carolina | $50,380 |
| 13. Rhode Island | $50,150 |
| 14. California | $50,110 |
| 15. New Jersey | $49,390 |
| 16. Arizona | $49,000 |
| 17. Michigan | $48,820 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $24.09 ($50,110 a year).
Do dental assistants make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $50,110 against $48,070 nationally, 4% more.
Where does California rank for dental assistant pay?
California ranks 14 of 50 states.
Which city in California pays dental assistants the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $74,600 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.