Wage data
Dental Assistants Salary in San Diego
The median Dental Assistants salary in San Diego is $58,120 per year, with most earning between $44,550 and $60,070 (the 25th–75th percentile).
San Diego wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,700 |
| 25th percentile | $44,550 |
| Median (50th) | $58,120 |
| 75th percentile | $60,070 |
| 90th percentile | $63,070 |
How San Diego compares to the national average
The San Diego median ($58,120) runs 21% above the national median of $48,070.
| San Diego median | $58,120 |
| National median | $48,070 |
Pay by experience level
Pay within an occupation varies by experience. In the government data for Dental Assistants in San Diego:
- Entry-level Dental Assistants in San Diego (0–2 years) typically sit in the 10th–25th percentile — roughly $38,700 to $44,550.
- Early-career Dental Assistants in San Diego (3–5 years) typically sit in the 25th–50th percentile — roughly $44,550 to $58,120.
- Mid-career Dental Assistants in San Diego (6–10 years) typically sit in the 50th–75th percentile — roughly $58,120 to $60,070.
- Senior Dental Assistants in San Diego (11+ years) typically sit in the 75th–90th percentile — roughly $60,070 to $63,070.
About the role
Key skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness.
In-demand tools: Henry Schein Dentrix.
Typical education: Post-Secondary Certificate (46%), High School Diploma (29%), Some College (17%), Associate's Degree (8%).
Related occupations: Dental Hygienists, Medical Assistants, Ophthalmic Medical Technicians, Surgical Assistants, Endoscopy Technicians.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median Dental Assistants salary in San Diego?
The median Dental Assistants salary in San Diego is $58,120 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025). Most earn between $44,550 and $60,070 — the 25th to 75th percentile.
What do the top 10% of Dental Assistants earn in San Diego?
The 90th percentile Dental Assistants wage in San Diego is $63,070 per year — the top 10% of the published distribution earn at or above that figure.
How does Dental Assistants pay in San Diego compare to the national average?
The San Diego median ($58,120) runs 21% above the national median of $48,070. All figures are from the federal wage survey (OEWS May 2025).
How do I know if a Dental Assistants salary offer in San Diego is competitive?
Compare the offer against these percentiles: an offer near the median is at market for a typical hire, while your experience level shifts the band you should be judged against. The free counter calculator places a specific number in this distribution, and the full analysis adds live market data and the exact range to counter with.
Have an offer in hand? See exactly where it stands against this data — with your experience level, live market ranges, and the specific range to counter with.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Estimates are market-informed, not guarantees. How we read this data.
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