California Dental Assistant Salary

California has a nationally recognized history of awarding dental assistants generous salaries and wages. In fact, in 2013, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics ranked the San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City Metropolitan Division ($48,8760/yr.) and the Santa Rosa-Petaluma Metropolitan Division ($44,860/yr.) among the ten top paying metropolitan areas for dental assistants in the nation.

Employment Spotlight for Dental Assistants Employed in California

In 2013, the US Department of Labor named California as a leading state for dental assistant employment in the country:

• California was ranked the #1 state with the highest employment level for dental assistants

• California was ranked the #4 state with the highest concentration of jobs in the dental assistant field

• Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale Metropolitan Division was ranked the #1 metropolitan area with the highest employment level for dental assistants in the country

Average Earnings for Dental Assistants in California

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2013, the salary percentiles for dental assistants in California were:

• 25^th Percentile: $29,900/yr.
• Median Percentile: $36,600/yr.
• 75^th Percentile: $45,400/yr.
• 90^th Percentile: 53,800/yr.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2013, the wage percentiles for dental assistants in California were:

• 25^th Percentile: $14.39/hr.
• Median Percentile: $17.58/hr.
• 75^th Percentile: $21.82/hr.
• 90^th Percentile: $25.88/hr.

Featured Programs:

Arizona State University - Online

With ASU's Online Bachelor of Science in Applied Biological Sciences – Pre-Dental, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge, skills and experience needed to pursue an advanced degree in dentistry or a career in a dental-related field.

Selected Campus Locations:

• Online

Selected Programs:

• Online Bachelor of Science in Applied Biological Sciences – Pre-Dental

Penn Foster

Penn Foster's Dental Assistant career diploma program​ will teach you on-the-job skills like dental health procedures, office operations, dentistry terminology use, and more - so you can begin pursuing your career as a Dental Assistant.​

Selected Campus Locations:

• Online

Selected Programs:

• Dental Assistant Career Diploma

Regional Salaries and Wages for Dental Assistants in California

A dental assistant’s capacity to reach optimal pay levels can depend on which region they work in. Therefore, a worker’s ability to relocate or commute may prove beneficial.

In 2013, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics assembled the table below to express regional salaries and wages for dental assistants throughout California: