Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025

Dentist Salary in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

The median dentist earns $170,630 a year in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles metro, with the middle half between $130,690 and $227,700.[1]

25th percentile

$130,690

Lower end of the middle half

Median

$170,630

Half earn more, half earn less

75th percentile

$227,700

Upper end of the middle half

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles runs about 3% higher than the California median and ranks 14th of 24 California metros. It is about the same as the national median.

Note: BLS figures reflect employed dentists. Many dentists own their practices, and owner earnings aren't included. That can make high-ownership areas read lower than you'd expect.

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles pay range vs. California and the U.S.

Dentist annual wages: San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles vs. California vs. U.S. (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
PercentileMetro annualCalifornia annualU.S. annual
10th percentile$95,990$74,510$86,250
25th percentile$130,690$124,470$125,710
Median$170,630$165,950$170,950
75th percentile$227,700$213,260$224,040
90th percentile$323,130$272,730$319,630
Mean (average)$190,280$170,690$191,350

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.[2] Gross wages for employees; excludes the self-employed. Comparisons in this page are DSO Hire calculations and are not adjusted for cost of living.

Employed in metro

100

About 1% of California's total (calculation)

Per 1,000 jobs

0.83

California: 0.92

Location quotient

1.04

1.00 = U.S. average; close to the national average

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Dentist salary in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles: FAQ

How much do dentists make in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles?

The median dentist salary in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles metro area is $170,630, with the middle half earning between $130,690 and $227,700 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $95,990 at the 10th percentile to $323,130 at the 90th.

Is San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles higher or lower than the rest of California?

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles runs about 3% higher than the California state median for dentists. It ranks 14th of 24 California metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)

How does San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles compare nationally?

Dentist pay in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles is about the same as the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)

How many dentists work in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles area?

BLS estimates 100 dentists were employed in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 1.04, so the role is close to the national average.