Dental Assistants Salary in Merced, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Merced, CA

Median annual salary $47,420 +0.3% vs national
Median hourly $22.80
10th percentile $36,390
90th percentile $60,370
Employed locally 180
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
in
Merced, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,390
    25th
    $46,470
    50th (median)
    $47,420
    75th
    $56,400
    90th
    $60,370

    Merced economic context

    Unemployment rate 9.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,044 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 73% Median Dental Assistants salary is 27% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Dental Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $65,360
    Minnesota $64,630
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $64,600
    Rochester, MN $62,990
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,700
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,620

    Nearby metros — Dental Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $64,600
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,700
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,620
    Vallejo, CA $60,220
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $60,080
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $59,270

    Related occupations in Merced, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $33,530
    Medical Assistants $39,200
    Nursing Assistants $44,040
    Psychiatric Aides $49,590
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $42,050
    Phlebotomists $49,710

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in Merced?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Merced, CA is $22.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.00 or more per hour.

    Is Merced above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Merced, CA is 0.3% above the national median of $47,300. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Dental Assistants in Merced?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $36,390 per year in Merced, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,470.