Dental Assistants Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

Median annual salary $50,450 +6.7% vs national
Median hourly $24.26
10th percentile $40,720
90th percentile $73,010
Employed locally 390
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
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San Luis Obispo, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,720
    25th
    $48,060
    50th (median)
    $50,450
    75th
    $61,670
    90th
    $73,010

    San Luis Obispo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,398 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 54% Median Dental Assistants salary is 46% 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 San Luis Obispo, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $33,330
    Medical Assistants $48,140
    Nursing Assistants $45,360
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $43,350
    Massage Therapists $49,820
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $59,990

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in San Luis Obispo?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in San Luis Obispo, CA is $24.26, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.53 or more per hour.

    Is San Luis Obispo above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in San Luis Obispo, CA is 6.7% 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 Luis Obispo?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $40,720 per year in San Luis Obispo, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,060.