Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville
The median dental assistant earns $58,580 a year in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro, with the middle half between $50,500 and $63,070.[1]
25th percentile
$50,500
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$58,580
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$63,070
Upper end of the middle half
Santa Cruz-Watsonville runs about 17% higher than the California median and ranks 8th of 25 California metros. It is about 22% higher than the national median.
Santa Cruz-Watsonville pay range vs. California and the U.S.
| Percentile | Metro annual | California annual | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,170 | $38,790 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $50,500 | $46,270 | $44,340 |
| Median | $58,580 | $50,110 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $63,070 | $60,670 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $72,800 | $73,700 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $58,970 | $54,710 | $50,200 |
370
3.75
1.50
For dental pros in Santa Cruz-Watsonville
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Dental Assistant salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
The median dental assistant salary in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro area is $58,580, with the middle half earning between $50,500 and $63,070 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $49,170 at the 10th percentile to $72,800 at the 90th.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville higher or lower than the rest of California?
Santa Cruz-Watsonville runs about 17% higher than the California state median for dental assistants. It ranks 8th of 25 California metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)
How does Santa Cruz-Watsonville compare nationally?
Dental Assistant pay in Santa Cruz-Watsonville is about 22% 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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville area?
BLS estimates 370 dental assistants were employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 1.50, so the role is more concentrated than the national average.
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