Dental Assistants Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $62,700 +32.6% vs national
Median hourly $30.14
10th percentile $45,440
90th percentile $79,350
Employed locally 7,100
National median $47,300

Compare Dental Assistants salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Francisco, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Dental Assistants
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,440
    25th
    $59,740
    50th (median)
    $62,700
    75th
    $72,720
    90th
    $79,350

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 47% Median Dental Assistants salary is 53% 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
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,620
    Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $60,910

    Nearby metros — Dental Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $64,600
    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
    Napa, CA $58,690

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $35,870
    Medical Assistants $59,910
    Nursing Assistants $53,990
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $47,040
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $64,840
    Massage Therapists $43,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in San Francisco, CA is $30.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.78 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in San Francisco, CA is 32.6% 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $45,440 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,740.