Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara
The median dental assistant earns $51,310 a year in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara metro, with the middle half between $47,250 and $61,210.[1]
25th percentile
$47,250
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$51,310
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$61,210
Upper end of the middle half
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara runs about 2% higher than the California median and ranks 13th of 25 California metros. It is about 7% higher than the national median.
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara pay range vs. California and the U.S.
| Percentile | Metro annual | California annual | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,410 | $38,790 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $47,250 | $46,270 | $44,340 |
| Median | $51,310 | $50,110 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $61,210 | $60,670 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $64,250 | $73,700 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $54,120 | $54,710 | $50,200 |
610
3.03
1.22
For dental pros in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara
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Dental Assistant salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
The median dental assistant salary in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara metro area is $51,310, with the middle half earning between $47,250 and $61,210 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $44,410 at the 10th percentile to $64,250 at the 90th.
Is Santa Maria-Santa Barbara higher or lower than the rest of California?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara runs about 2% higher than the California state median for dental assistants. It ranks 13th of 25 California metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)
How does Santa Maria-Santa Barbara compare nationally?
Dental Assistant pay in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara is about 7% 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 Maria-Santa Barbara area?
BLS estimates 610 dental assistants were employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 1.22, so the role is more concentrated than the national average.
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