Dental Assistants Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $64,600 +36.6% vs national
Median hourly $31.06
10th percentile $50,340
90th percentile $103,860
Employed locally 2,840
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
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San Jose, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,340
    25th
    $58,320
    50th (median)
    $64,600
    75th
    $78,410
    90th
    $103,860

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 41% Median Dental Assistants salary is 59% 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
    Rochester, MN $62,990
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,700
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,620
    Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $60,910

    Nearby metros — Dental Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Napa, CA $58,690

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $36,920
    Medical Assistants $62,290
    Nursing Assistants $56,220
    Massage Therapists $56,720
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $61,280
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $46,950

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in San Jose, CA is $31.06, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.28 or more per hour.

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

    The median Dental Assistants salary in San Jose, CA is 36.6% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $50,340 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,320.