CDCareer Decision

Dental Assistants Salary in CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Dental Assistants in CA have a median annual salary of $50,110, with 56,220 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $38,790 at the 10th percentile to $73,700 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$50,110

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$24.09

Employment

56,220

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$38,790
10th
$46,270
25th
$50,110
Median
$60,670
75th
$73,700
90th

Local compared with national

CA

$50,110

Median annual · 2025

United States

$48,070

Median annual · 2025

The CA median is 4.2% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $2,040).

Top skills

  1. 1.Active ListeningImportance 3.9
  2. 2.SpeakingImportance 3.4
  3. 3.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.3
  4. 4.Active LearningImportance 3.1
  5. 5.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  6. 6.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.1
  7. 7.InstructingImportance 3.1
  8. 8.Service OrientationImportance 3.1
  9. 9.WritingImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.0
  12. 12.CoordinationImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Post-Secondary Certificate
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • Email software
  • Henry Schein Dentrix
  • Kodak Dental Systems Kodak SOFTDENT Practice management software PMS
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Open Dental
  • Patterson Dental Supply Patterson EagleSoft
  • Quicken
  • The Systems Workplace TDOCS
  • Web browser software

Common tasks

  • Pour, trim, and polish study casts.
  • Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
  • Record treatment information in patient records.
  • Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
  • Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
  • Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
  • Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
  • Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
  • Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
  • Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Dental Assistants salary in other locations

Other occupations in CA