Dental Assistant Salary in California
Median annual pay in California
$50,110
$24.09/hour
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Adjusted for cost of living in California
$45,258
Regional Price Parity: 110.720 (U.S. = 100)
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Difference from the U.S. median ($48,070): +$2,040 (+4.2%)
California ranks 14th of 50 states by median pay, and 44th of 50 after adjusting for cost of living.
Pay
| Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| 25th percentile | $46,270 | $22.25 |
| Median | $50,110 | $24.09 |
| 75th percentile | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| 90th percentile | $73,700 | $35.43 |
Employment
- Employment in California
- 56,220
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Comparison
Compared with the U.S.
- Median annual pay in California
- $50,110
- Median annual pay in the U.S.
- $48,070
- Difference
- +$2,040 (+4.2%)
Cost of living
$50,110 ÷ 110.720 × 100 = $45,258
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Ranking
| Rank | Median annual pay | Adjusted for cost of living (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | ||
| 12th | $50,380 | $53,411 14th |
| Rhode Island | ||
| 13th | $50,150 | $49,032 29th |
| California This page | ||
| 14th | $50,110 | $45,258 44th |
| New Jersey | ||
| 15th | $49,390 | $45,393 43rd |
| Arizona | ||
| 16th | $49,000 | $48,671 30th |
Similar occupations
Related occupations from O*NET, in O*NET's order, with their BLS median pay. Each figure shows the place it is for.
- Dental Hygienist salary in California
$124,930/year California
- Medical Assistant salary in California
$49,660/year California
- Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in the U.S.
$45,570/year U.S.
- Surgical Assistant salary in California
$62,540/year California
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other salary in California
$49,130/year California
- Dental Laboratory Technician salary in the U.S.
$49,610/year U.S.
Outlook
- Projected employment change, 2025–35 (U.S.)
- +7.4%
- Typical education needed for entry (U.S.)
- Postsecondary nondegree award
BLS publishes employment projections only for the U.S. as a whole. BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35
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Dental Assistant salary in nearby places
- Dental Assistant salary in Arizona
$49,000/year Arizona
- Dental Assistant salary in Nevada
$47,110/year Nevada
- Dental Assistant salary in Oregon
$59,490/year Oregon
- Dental Assistant salary in the U.S.
$48,070/year U.S.
Sources and update
- Wages and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
- Related occupations: O*NET® 31.0 Database, CC BY 4.0. Attributions
- Employment projections and typical education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Neighboring states: U.S. Census Bureau, County Adjacency File, 2024.
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