Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
The median dentist earns $158,160 a year in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro, with the middle half between $124,520 and $222,040.[1]
25th percentile
$124,520
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$158,160
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$222,040
Upper end of the middle half
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad runs about 5% lower than the California median and ranks 22nd of 24 California metros. It is about 7% lower 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 | $90,600 | $74,510 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $124,520 | $124,470 | $125,710 |
| Median | $158,160 | $165,950 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $222,040 | $213,260 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $259,320 | $272,730 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $168,540 | $170,690 | $191,350 |
1,710
1.11
1.39
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Dentist salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad: FAQ
How much do dentists make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
The median dentist salary in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area is $158,160, with the middle half earning between $124,520 and $222,040 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $90,600 at the 10th percentile to $259,320 at the 90th.
Is San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad higher or lower than the rest of California?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad runs about 5% lower than the California state median for dentists. It ranks 22nd of 24 California metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)
How does San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad compare nationally?
Dentist pay in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad is about 7% lower than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)
How many dentists work in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area?
BLS estimates 1,710 dentists were employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 1.39, so the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Other California metros