Dental Assistant Salary in California

A dental assistant is someone who assists dentists in managing medical and dental procedures. They are trained on how to pour, trim and polish study casts. They also have the tasked of scheduling patients and filling out insurance forms and other important dental records. The salary for this profession varies from different areas in the country because it is influenced by a number of key factors. Some of the things that are included in the list are geographic location, type of industry or care setting, work experience and level of education. Based on the salary survey conducted by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual dental assistant salary in California is around $45,000. This amount is far better than the national average which is $33,000 per year. The statewide average may also vary due to factors like cost of living and demand for these professionals.

A geographic location is a major determinant of the dental assistant salary in California. Each region and city in this state has a different pay rate for this profession. To illustrate further, here are some city specific salaries for CA. Dental assistants working in Anaheim have an average annual wage of $40,000 while those who are in Beverly Hills are paid $44,000 per year. The ones who are employed in Burbank have a yearly pay check of $44,000 while those in Carmel receive $43,000. Individuals hired in the city of Fresno have a median annual wage of $40,000 while the ones in Hollywood make around $44,000. Laguna Beach has a yearly pay rate of $41,000 for its dental assistants while Los Angeles is at $44,000. Those who are working in Monterey get paid an average of $42,000 annually while Newport Beach employees earn $41,000. Dental assistants employed in Oakland have a median annual wage of $51,000 while the ones in Palm Springs receive $41,000 in a year. Those who are residing in Palo Alto make $54,000 annually while the ones in Pasadena earn around $43,000. Individuals hired in Redondo Beach have a median annual wage of $44,000 while the ones in Sacramento receive $42,000. The city of San Diego has an average rate of $40,000 a year for this profession while San Francisco is at $52,000.

As you can see, the highest paying cities or areas in CA are those that have higher costs of living. Furthermore, the city of San Jose has an average rate of $53,000 per year while Santa Barbara is at $38,000. Dental assistants working in Santa Cruz receive an annual pay check of $51,000 while Santa Monica is at $45,000. Another major determinant of a dental assistant’s salary in CA is specialization. Individuals who pursue further knowledge and skill in this field have a better chance of earning higher salaries than their colleagues. For example, a dental instructor can make around $66,000 in a year while an assistant program director receives $56,000. Other related job titles to this field are pharmacy manager hospital and physician’s assistant. These careers have an average yearly pay of $169,000 and 81,000, respectively.

One of the most prestigious technical schools in California that offers a dental assisting program is the San Joaquin Valley College. This institution is located in three different areas in the state: Fresno, Visalia and Bakerfield. Its dental assisting program has been accredited by the Dental Board of California and the graduates are granted an associate’s degree and various certifications as well. SJVC aims to produce students who are ready to take the Dental Board of California Examination for State Licensure as a Registered Dental nurse. The program takes around 2 years to complete but some of the certifications only require a year to obtain. For further inquiries about the school and its dental assisting program, anyone is free to call their toll free number which is 866-544-7898.