Dental assistant salary in California
The median dental assistant in California earns $50,110 a year (about $24.09 an hour); the mean is $54,710. That is $2,040 (4%) above the US median of $48,070, and ranks 14 of 50 among states with published figures. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
| California | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $50,110 | $48,070 |
| Mean annual wage | $54,710 | $50,200 |
| Median hourly equivalent | $24.09 | $23.11 |
| Employed | 56,220 | 387,790 |
Dental assistants work alongside dentists: chairside help, instruments, patient comfort, and in many states radiographs and other expanded duties.
How California compares with nearby ranks
States closest to California in the dental assistant median ranking:
| State | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $52,760 | $54,550 |
| North Carolina | $50,380 | $51,510 |
| Rhode Island | $50,150 | $52,790 |
| New Jersey | $49,390 | $52,940 |
| Arizona | $49,000 | $50,280 |
| Michigan | $48,820 | $49,650 |
See the full state ranking for dental assistants.
Other dental roles in California
- Dental hygienist salary in CaliforniaMedian $124,930
- General dentist salary in CaliforniaMedian $165,950
More for California
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Common questions
How much does a dental assistant make in California?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in California is $50,110 (about $24.09 an hour) and the mean is $54,710, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
How does California compare with the national figure?
The California median is $2,040 (4%) above the national median of $48,070. It ranks 14 of 50 states and districts with published figures for dental assistants.
How many dental assistants work in California?
BLS estimates 56,220 employed dental assistants in California in May 2025.
Do these numbers include practice owners?
No. BLS counts people on an employer's payroll. Owners who take profit from their own practice are mostly outside the survey.