Dentists, General Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

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

Median annual salary $202,520 +17.2% vs national
Median hourly $97.37
10th percentile $105,720
90th percentile —
National median $172,790

Compare Dentists, General salary & buying power

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Dentists, General
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $105,720
    25th
    $141,500
    50th (median)
    $202,520
    75th
    $228,400

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Dentists, General salary vs area income 185% Median Dentists, General salary is 85% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Dentists, General

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area $319,140
    Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area $318,010
    Anchorage, AK $233,910
    North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL $233,590
    Vermont $230,990
    Alaska $230,830

    Nearby metros — Dentists, General salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hanford-Corcoran, CA $228,700
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $221,070
    El Centro, CA $217,830
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $216,830
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $210,140
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $205,380

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $178,900
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $79,580
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,420
    Physicians, All Other $305,610
    Nurse Practitioners $159,090
    Dental Hygienists $127,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dentists, General make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Dentists, General in Santa Cruz, CA is $97.37, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $108.39 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Dentists, General salaries?

    The median Dentists, General salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 17.2% above the national median of $172,790. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Dentists, General in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Dentists, General (10th percentile) earn around $105,720 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $141,500.