verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Dental Assistant Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$50,110/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$24.09/hr
▲ 4% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
56,220
public U.S. Median
$48,070
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$45,258 #44 of 50

Dental Assistant pay in California, explained

Dental assistants in California earn a median of $50,110 per year ($24.09 per hour), which is 4% above the national median of $48,070. Entry-level workers earn around $38,790, while the most experienced dental assistants reach about $73,700. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $50,110 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $50,110 is worth about $45,258 in national buying power — ranking California #44 for real pay (vs #14 on the sticker number).

See the full Dental Assistant Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Dental Assistant pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$38,790
$18.65/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$50,110
$24.09/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$73,700
$35.43/hr

Dental Assistant pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $50,110 $45,258
Oregon $59,490 $57,556 −$9,380
Arizona $49,000 $48,671 +$1,110
Nevada $47,110 $47,120 +$3,000

Dental Assistant in California: FAQ

How much do dental assistants make in California?

Dental assistants in California earn a median of $50,110 per year ($24.09 per hour), compared with $48,070 nationally.

Does California pay dental assistants well?

At $50,110, California pays 4% above the national median for dental assistants. An estimated 56,220 work in the state.

Dental Assistant salary in other states

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in California