How much does a dentist make in California?
$230,700a year
Median yearly pay for dentists in California. That is $110.93 an hour or $19,230 a month.
- Hourly
- $110.93
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among states
- 8 of 19
- Jobs in the state
- 340
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $89,250Median: $230,700Highest 10%: $313,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $89,250 | $42.91 | |
| 25th | $147,500 | $70.93 | |
| Median | $230,700 | $110.93 | |
| 75th | $265,200 | $127.48 | |
| 90th | $313,400 | $150.69 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $279,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $241,100 |
| Riverside, CA | $230,200 |
| Sacramento, CA | $199,300 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for dentists.
| 5. Arizona | $244,200 |
| 6. West Virginia | $235,400 |
| 7. Arkansas | $232,700 |
| 8. California | $230,700 |
| 9. Missouri | $230,100 |
| 10. Michigan | $229,200 |
| 11. North Carolina | $226,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dentist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $110.93 ($230,700 a year).
Do dentists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $230,700 against $225,000 nationally, 3% more.
Where does California rank for dentist pay?
California ranks 8 of 19 states.
Which city in California pays dentists the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $279,800 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.