How much does a dental assistant make in Santa Cruz?
$58,580a year
Median yearly pay for dental assistants in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $28.16 an hour or $4,882 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.16
- Vs. national median
- +22%
- Rank among cities
- 22 of 388
- Jobs in the area
- 370
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $49,170Median: $58,580Highest 10%: $72,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,170 | $23.64 | |
| 25th | $50,500 | $24.28 | |
| Median | $58,580 | $28.16 | |
| 75th | $63,070 | $30.32 | |
| 90th | $72,800 | $35.00 |
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 |
| 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 Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $87,330 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $81,370 |
| Phlebotomist | $59,800 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,050 |
| Healthcare Support Worker | $50,870 |
| Medical Assistant | $50,090 |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,940 |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $47,150 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $39,210 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | $34,320 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $28.16 ($58,580 a year).
Do dental assistants make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $58,580 against $48,070 nationally, 22% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $50,110, so Santa Cruz pays 17% more.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for dental assistant pay?
22 of 388 metro areas with data.
How much does a dental assistant make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $49,170 or less a year; the top 10% make $72,800 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.