Dental Assistants Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $49,570 +4.8% vs national
Median hourly $23.83
10th percentile $43,980
90th percentile $71,770
Employed locally 590
National median $47,300

Compare Dental Assistants salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Dental Assistants
in
Santa Maria, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,980
    25th
    $46,040
    50th (median)
    $49,570
    75th
    $62,110
    90th
    $71,770

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 52% Median Dental Assistants salary is 48% 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 Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $33,540
    Medical Assistants $49,710
    Nursing Assistants $46,190
    Phlebotomists $61,350
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $53,030
    Massage Therapists $39,070

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Santa Maria, CA is $23.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.89 or more per hour.

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

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Santa Maria, CA is 4.8% 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 Maria?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $43,980 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,040.