How much does a dental assistant make in San Francisco?
$64,390a year
Median yearly pay for dental assistants in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area. That is $30.96 an hour or $5,366 a month.
- Hourly
- $30.96
- Vs. national median
- +34%
- Rank among cities
- 3 of 388
- Jobs in the area
- 7,530
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $47,800Median: $64,390Highest 10%: $80,660
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,800 | $22.98 | |
| 25th | $58,760 | $28.25 | |
| Median | $64,390 | $30.96 | |
| 75th | $73,010 | $35.10 | |
| 90th | $80,660 | $38.78 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for dental assistants.
| San Jose, CA | $74,600 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in San Francisco
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $97,860 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $95,920 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $82,140 |
| Orderly | $69,870 |
| Healthcare Support Worker | $66,520 |
| Medical Assistant | $59,790 |
| Phlebotomist | $58,900 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $58,240 |
| Nursing Assistant | $56,080 |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $49,400 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make an hour in San Francisco?
The median hourly pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $30.96 ($64,390 a year).
Do dental assistants make more in San Francisco than the national average?
Yes: $64,390 against $48,070 nationally, 34% more.
How does San Francisco compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $50,110, so San Francisco pays 28% more.
Where does San Francisco rank for dental assistant pay?
3 of 388 metro areas with data.
How much does a dental assistant make starting out in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% make $47,800 or less a year; the top 10% make $80,660 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.