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Dental Assistants in California
Thinking about a career as a Dental Assistants in California? Here’s what you need to know. Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
What do Dental Assistants Make in California?
The dental assistants working in California, the median annual wage is $48,910 per year (or roughly $23.51/hour).Earnings range from $38,770 at the 10th percentile to $72,060 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| 25th percentile | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| Median (50th) | $48,910 | $23.51 |
| 75th percentile | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| 90th percentile | $72,060 | $34.64 |
The job concentration index in California nationwide is 1.24, suggesting that dental assistants are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, dental assistants earn a median of $25,445 per year ($12.23/hour), above the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 535,056 dental assistants across the United States. In California alone, around 54,580 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 4,450 dental assistants.
Top California Metros for Dental Assistants
The metro areas below employ the most dental assistants in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 19,300 | $46,360 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 7,100 | $62,700 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 6,210 | $49,030 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 4,230 | $46,420 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 3,450 | $59,270 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 2,840 | $64,600 |
| Fresno, CA | 1,450 | $46,730 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 960 | $47,330 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 930 | $55,410 |
| Modesto, CA | 860 | $48,650 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 810 | $48,000 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 680 | $62,620 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 590 | $49,570 |
| Vallejo, CA | 550 | $60,220 |
| Salinas, CA | 510 | $51,940 |
| Visalia, CA | 440 | $47,930 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 410 | $50,050 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 390 | $50,450 |
| Chico, CA | 250 | $48,090 |
| Yuba City, CA | 250 | $48,610 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 200 | $49,090 |
| Redding, CA | 200 | $46,880 |
| Merced, CA | 180 | $47,420 |
| Napa, CA | 180 | $58,690 |
| El Centro, CA | 120 | $54,010 |
Top States for Dental Assistants Employment
These states have the highest employment of dental assistants work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 54,580 |
| Texas | 31,360 |
| Florida | 23,020 |
| New York | 19,700 |
| Illinois | 15,620 |
| Washington | 13,330 |
| Pennsylvania | 12,410 |
| Michigan | 11,830 |
| Ohio | 11,130 |
| North Carolina | 11,100 |
| Virginia | 11,040 |
| New Jersey | 10,660 |
| Georgia | 9,730 |
| Massachusetts | 9,250 |
| Colorado | 7,720 |
| Arizona | 7,480 |
| Missouri | 7,380 |
| Wisconsin | 6,720 |
| Maryland | 6,520 |
| Tennessee | 6,370 |
Highest-Paying States for Dental Assistants
These states pay the most for dental assistants.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $64,630 |
| Massachusetts | $57,960 |
| Oregon | $57,720 |
| Washington | $57,040 |
| District of Columbia | $56,500 |
| Alaska | $55,950 |
| Maine | $51,340 |
| North Dakota | $51,310 |
| Vermont | $51,020 |
| Connecticut | $50,820 |
Skills
The most important dental assistants skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for dental assistants, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, dental assistants typically:
- Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
- Record treatment information in patient records.
- Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
- Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
- Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
- Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
- Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
- Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
- Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.
- Schedule appointments, prepare bills and receive payment for dental services, complete insurance forms, and maintain records, manually or using computer.
- Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
- Pour, trim, and polish study casts.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Working with Computers
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Scheduling Work and Activities
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Henry Schein Dentrix In-demand technologies: Henry Schein Dentrix
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
Related Careers
Other careers like dental assistants include:
- Chiropractors
- Dentists, General
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Orthodontists
- Prosthodontists
- Cardiologists
Also Known As
Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), Certified Registered Dental Assistant, Dental Aide, Dental Assistant (DA), Dental Nurse, Dental Office Assistant, Dental Specialist, Dentist Attendant, Expanded Dental Assistant, Expanded Duties Dental Assistant, Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA), Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA), Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA), General Practical Dental Assistant, Oral Surgery Assistant.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 31-9091.00
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