Dental Assistant Salary in San Diego, CA
Updated
The median dental assistant in the San Diego area earns $58,120 a year ($27.94 an hour), 21% above the U.S. median ($48,070) and 16% above the California median ($50,110). Half of the 4,260 dental assistants there earn between $44,550 and $60,070.
| Annual pay | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,700 | $38,790 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $44,550 | $46,270 | $44,340 |
| Median | $58,120 | $50,110 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $60,070 | $60,670 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $63,070 | $73,700 | $62,250 |
| Average | $53,990 | $54,710 | $50,200 |
| Jobs | 4,260 | 56,220 | 387,790 |
San Diego, CA ranks 9th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay. Highest: San Jose, CA ($74,600).
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Check my payDental assistant pay in other cities
- San Jose, CA: $74,600
- San Francisco, CA: $64,390
- Sacramento, CA: $58,580
- Minneapolis, MN: $72,370
- Seattle, WA: $62,040
- Portland, OR: $59,890
- Raleigh, NC: $58,750
- Boston, MA: $58,160
- All cities
Similar jobs in San Diego, CA
- Medical Assistant: $49,420
- Home Health Aide: $35,300
- Nursing Assistant: $48,070
- All jobs in San Diego, CA
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.