Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara
The median dental assistant earns $74,600 a year in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro, with the middle half between $60,150 and $76,710.[1]
25th percentile
$60,150
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$74,600
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$76,710
Upper end of the middle half
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara runs about 49% higher than the California median and ranks 1st of 25 California metros. It is about 55% higher than the national median.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara pay range vs. California and the U.S.
| Percentile | Metro annual | California annual | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $55,670 | $38,790 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $60,150 | $46,270 | $44,340 |
| Median | $74,600 | $50,110 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $76,710 | $60,670 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $81,710 | $73,700 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $71,150 | $54,710 | $50,200 |
2,870
2.53
1.01
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Dental Assistant salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
The median dental assistant salary in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area is $74,600, with the middle half earning between $60,150 and $76,710 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $55,670 at the 10th percentile to $81,710 at the 90th.
Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara higher or lower than the rest of California?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara runs about 49% higher than the California state median for dental assistants. It ranks 1st of 25 California metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)
How does San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara compare nationally?
Dental Assistant pay in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara is about 55% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area?
BLS estimates 2,870 dental assistants were employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 1.01, so the role is close to the national average.
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