Dental Assistants Salary in Modesto, CA

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

Median annual salary $48,650 +2.9% vs national
Median hourly $23.39
10th percentile $37,340
90th percentile $65,150
Employed locally 860
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
in
Modesto, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,340
    25th
    $37,490
    50th (median)
    $48,650
    75th
    $58,040
    90th
    $65,150

    Modesto economic context

    Unemployment rate 6.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,661 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 61% Median Dental Assistants salary is 39% 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 Modesto, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $33,380
    Medical Assistants $48,530
    Nursing Assistants $45,680
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $48,920
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $38,410
    Medical Equipment Preparers $69,700

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in Modesto?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Modesto, CA is $23.39, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.03 or more per hour.

    Is Modesto above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Modesto, CA is 2.9% 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 Modesto?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $37,340 per year in Modesto, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,490.