Dental salaries in California
The verified BLS OEWS median general dentist in California earns about $165,950; dental hygienists earn about $124,930 ($60.06/hr).
Verified BLS OEWS May 2025 pay for the core dental roles in California — official state survey values, not estimates.
California pays roughly 3% below the national median of $170,950.
California pays roughly 27% above the national median of $98,100.
California pays roughly 4% above the national median of $48,070.
Dentist pay distribution — California (verified)
Verified BLS OEWS percentiles for general dentists. Inner percentiles marked “est.” are interpolated.
| Percentile | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| 10th percentilei | $74,510 |
| 25th percentilei | $124,470 |
| Median (50th)i | $165,950 |
| 75th percentilei | $213,260 |
| 90th percentilei | $272,730 |
| Mean (average)i | $170,690 |
Explore metros in California
Dental pay in California varies by role and metro. Use the metro selector below to compare Bakersfield, Chico, El Centro, and more.
More dental roles in California
Specialists, practice operations, and support roles — modeled local estimates with a 2025 figure and a 2026 projection, so California reads as a full salary market.
Clinical dentists
Dental specialists
Hygiene & assisting
Practice operations
Lab & support
Modeled local estimates for California: the national figure for each role scaled by the local labor-cost index, projected to 2026. Clearly labeled estimates — submit your salary to help sharpen them.
Role pages
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a dentist make in California?
The verified BLS OEWS median general dentist in California earns about $165,950, from the official May 2025 state wage survey.
How much do dental hygienists make in California?
The verified BLS OEWS median dental hygienist in California earns about $124,930 ($60.06/hr).
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