Dental Assistants Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $50,050 +5.8% vs national
Median hourly $24.06
10th percentile $43,230
90th percentile $62,420
Employed locally 410
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,230
    25th
    $47,750
    50th (median)
    $50,050
    75th
    $61,850
    90th
    $62,420

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 46% Median Dental Assistants salary is 54% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides$33,460
    Medical Assistants$49,070
    Nursing Assistants$46,730
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$45,560
    Massage Therapists$56,790
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$49,390

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Santa Cruz, CA is $24.06, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.00 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 5.8% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $43,230 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,750.