Dental Assistants Salary in Salinas, CA

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

Median annual salary $51,940 +9.8% vs national
Median hourly $24.97
10th percentile $38,660
90th percentile $75,270
Employed locally 510
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
in
Salinas, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,660
    25th
    $46,920
    50th (median)
    $51,940
    75th
    $60,300
    90th
    $75,270

    Salinas economic context

    Unemployment rate 7.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,486 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 55% Median Dental Assistants salary is 45% 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 Salinas, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $33,580
    Medical Assistants $47,530
    Nursing Assistants $47,500
    Massage Therapists $59,630
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $48,310
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $45,740

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in Salinas?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Salinas, CA is $24.97, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.10 or more per hour.

    Is Salinas above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Salinas, CA is 9.8% 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 Salinas?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $38,660 per year in Salinas, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,920.