Salary · Metro area · SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistant salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, per year and per hour

BLS data for May 2025 for the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metropolitan statistical area.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, released May 15, 2026. Publisher page

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Quick answer

The median pay for dental assistants in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA was $74,600 a year, or $35.86 an hour, in May 2025 (BLS). The middle 80% earned $55,670 to $81,710. About 2,870 were employed.

Annual pay: San Jose vs California vs the US

Dental Assistant annual wages, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, California, and US
MeasureThis metroCaliforniaUS
Median (50th percentile)$74,600$50,110$48,070
Mean (average)$71,150$54,710$50,200
10th percentile$55,670$38,790$37,130
25th percentile$60,150$46,270$44,340
75th percentile$76,710$60,670$58,090
90th percentile$81,710$73,700$62,250
Dental Assistant hourly wages, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
MeasureHourly
Median (50th percentile)$35.86
Mean (average)$34.21
10th percentile$26.76
25th percentile$28.92
75th percentile$36.88
90th percentile$39.28

Employment: 2,870. 2.526 per 1,000 jobs in the area. Location quotient 1.01.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Publisher page

Related pages

Questions

How much does a Dental Assistant make per hour in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

The median hourly wage was $35.86 in May 2025, per BLS. The 10th percentile was $26.76 and the 90th was $39.28.

What is the average Dental Assistant salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

BLS reports a mean (average) of $71,150 a year and a median of $74,600 for May 2025. The median is the middle wage; the mean is pulled up by the highest earners.

Do dental assistants in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn more than the California median?

The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA median of $74,600 is 49% higher than the California median of $50,110 (BLS, May 2025).

Where do these numbers come from?

The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2025 estimates, SOC 31-9091. Figures BLS did not publish are left out.

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