Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025

Dental Practice Administrator Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville

The median dental practice administrator earns $138,640 a year in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro, with the middle half between $97,280 and $198,910.[1]

25th percentile

$97,280

Lower end of the middle half

Median

$138,640

Half earn more, half earn less

75th percentile

$198,910

Upper end of the middle half

Santa Cruz-Watsonville runs about 2% lower than the California median and ranks 9th of 25 California metros. It is about 12% higher than the national median.

Santa Cruz-Watsonville pay range vs. California and the U.S.

Dental Practice Administrator annual wages: Santa Cruz-Watsonville vs. California vs. U.S. (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
PercentileMetro annualCalifornia annualU.S. annual
10th percentile$76,570$72,800$73,390
25th percentile$97,280$98,470$94,700
Median$138,640$141,480$123,860
75th percentile$198,910$205,390$166,100
90th percentile$237,750$274,660$224,340
Mean (average)$155,130$159,170$140,970

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

460

About 1% of California's total (calculation)

Per 1,000 jobs

4.62

California: 4.12

Location quotient

1.20

1.00 = U.S. average; more concentrated than the national average

For dental pros in Santa Cruz-Watsonville

Build a free resume and get matched to practices that fit you.

Dental Practice Administrator salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville: FAQ

How much do dental practice administrators make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?

The median dental practice administrator salary in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro area is $138,640, with the middle half earning between $97,280 and $198,910 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $76,570 at the 10th percentile to $237,750 at the 90th.

Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville higher or lower than the rest of California?

Santa Cruz-Watsonville runs about 2% lower than the California state median for dental practice administrators. It ranks 9th of 25 California metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)

How does Santa Cruz-Watsonville compare nationally?

Dental Practice Administrator pay in Santa Cruz-Watsonville is about 12% higher than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)

How many dental practice administrators work in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville area?

BLS estimates 460 dental practice administrators were employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 1.20, so the role is more concentrated than the national average.