How much does a dental assistant make in Salinas?
$56,790a year
Median yearly pay for dental assistants in the Salinas, CA metro area. That is $27.30 an hour or $4,733 a month.
- Hourly
- $27.30
- Vs. national median
- +18%
- Rank among cities
- 43 of 388
- Jobs in the area
- 570
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $42,770Median: $56,790Highest 10%: $70,920
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,770 | $20.56 | |
| 25th | $47,450 | $22.81 | |
| Median | $56,790 | $27.30 | |
| 75th | $59,970 | $28.83 | |
| 90th | $70,920 | $34.10 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for dental assistants.
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Salinas
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $84,850 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,400 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $60,490 |
| Healthcare Support Worker | $54,310 |
| Phlebotomist | $52,940 |
| Medical Assistant | $48,890 |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,870 |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $46,990 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $38,810 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $38,050 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make an hour in Salinas?
The median hourly pay in the Salinas, CA metro area is $27.30 ($56,790 a year).
Do dental assistants make more in Salinas than the national average?
Yes: $56,790 against $48,070 nationally, 18% more.
How does Salinas compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $50,110, so Salinas pays 13% more.
Where does Salinas rank for dental assistant pay?
43 of 388 metro areas with data.
How much does a dental assistant make starting out in Salinas?
The lowest-paid 10% make $42,770 or less a year; the top 10% make $70,920 or more.
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.