Dental Assistant salary in Merced, CA
Dental Assistants in the Merced, CA metro area earn a median of $48,520 a year ($23.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,320 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 3% lower than the California statewide median of $50,110. There are 3.1 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $52,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Merced, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,270 | $21.76 |
| 25th percentile | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Median | $48,520 | $23.33 |
| 75th percentile | $57,790 | $27.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Average (mean) | $52,050 | $25.02 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,043.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,021.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,866.15 |
| Weekly | $933.08 |
| Hourly | $23.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $74,600 | 2,870 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $64,390 | 7,530 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $60,590 | 680 |
| Napa, CA | $60,270 | 230 |
| Vallejo, CA | $59,000 | 630 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $58,930 | 1,250 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $58,580 | 3,100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $58,580 | 370 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $58,120 | 4,260 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $57,150 | 440 |
| Salinas, CA | $56,790 | 570 |
| El Centro, CA | $56,050 | 130 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $51,310 | 610 |
| Modesto, CA | $50,170 | 890 |
| Fresno, CA | $50,040 | 1,360 |
| Yuba City, CA | $50,030 | 240 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $49,980 | 200 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $49,090 | 780 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $48,500 | 5,240 |
| Redding, CA | $48,490 | 240 |
| Chico, CA | $48,170 | 290 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $48,100 | 990 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $46,900 | 21,090 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,630 | 480 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Merced, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $39,800 | $19.13 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Phlebotomist | $51,180 | $24.61 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,900 | $18.22 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $40,040 | $19.25 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $51,110 | $24.57 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,730 | $21.51 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,870 | $17.25 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Merced, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Merced, CA?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Merced, CA metro area is $48,520 a year, or $23.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Merced, CA?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Merced, CA metro area earn at least $60,320 a year. The top 25% earn $57,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Merced, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,270 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $48,020 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Merced, CA?
About 250 dental assistants are employed in the Merced, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.