Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
The median dental assistant earns $58,120 a year in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro, with the middle half between $44,550 and $60,070.[1]
25th percentile
$44,550
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$58,120
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$60,070
Upper end of the middle half
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad runs about 16% higher than the California median and ranks 9th of 25 California metros. It is about 21% higher than the national median.
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad pay range vs. California and the U.S.
| Percentile | Metro annual | California annual | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,700 | $38,790 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $44,550 | $46,270 | $44,340 |
| Median | $58,120 | $50,110 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $60,070 | $60,670 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $63,070 | $73,700 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $53,990 | $54,710 | $50,200 |
4,260
2.77
1.11
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Dental Assistant salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
The median dental assistant salary in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area is $58,120, with the middle half earning between $44,550 and $60,070 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $38,700 at the 10th percentile to $63,070 at the 90th.
Is San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad higher or lower than the rest of California?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad runs about 16% higher than the California state median for dental assistants. It ranks 9th of 25 California metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)
How does San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad compare nationally?
Dental Assistant pay in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad is about 21% higher than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)
How many dental assistants work in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area?
BLS estimates 4,260 dental assistants were employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 1.11, so the role is more concentrated than the national average.
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