Launch your dental career with free online training. California dental assistants earn $53,570+ annually. Study at your pace, pay only when you're ready to certify.
Featured Image
800 x 600 recommended
Average Salary
$53,570/year
Job Growth
6 (2024-2034)
Dental Practices
22,500+
Population 65+
15.6
Training Cost
FREE
Golden State offers excellent opportunities for dental assistants with 22,500+ dental practices and a population where 15.6 are over 65.
California dental assistants earn $53,570 annually on average, with experienced DAs earning $57,000 - $65,000.
6 projected job growth through 2034 as dental care demand increases across California.
Complete training in 4-8 weeks online. No prior experience needed. Start your dental career fast.
California requires dental assistants to meet specific educational and examination requirements through the Dental Board of California. All dental assistants must complete an approved infection control and CA Dental Practice Act course. Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs) require board examination and licensure to perform expanded duties.
California requires completion of a Board-approved radiography course (minimum 24 hours didactic plus clinical training) and passing the state X-ray certification exam. Both Dental Assistants and RDAs can take X-rays with proper certification. Permits require renewal every two years.
Highest wages, highest cost of living
Largest market, diverse opportunities
Growing market, border considerations
State capital, government influence
Affluent area, cosmetic dentistry focus
California offers diverse dental employment opportunities from DSO networks to academic institutions.
Employees: 10,000+
Facilities: 900+ supported practices
Location: Multiple CA locations
Major DSO founded in California with extensive statewide presence.
View Careers →Employees: 4,000+
Facilities: 200+ locations
Location: Throughout California
Affordable care focused DSO with comprehensive California coverage.
View Careers →Employees: 2,000+
Facilities: 100+ locations
Location: Multiple CA locations
National DSO with strong California presence through multiple brands.
View Careers →Employees: 500+
Facilities: 1 dental school
Location: 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Top-ranked dental school with extensive clinical training opportunities.
View Careers →Employees: 400+
Facilities: 1 dental school
Location: 707 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143
Premier dental school in the Bay Area with research and clinical excellence.
View Careers →Employees: 500+
Facilities: 1 dental school
Location: 925 W 34th St, Los Angeles, CA 90089
Renowned private dental school with diverse clinical experiences.
View Careers →Employees: 3,000+
Facilities: 100+ dental offices
Location: Throughout California
Integrated healthcare system with dental offices serving Kaiser members statewide.
View Careers →Employees: 30,000+
Facilities: 20,000+ practices
Location: Statewide
Largest dental market in US with diverse specialty and general practices.
View Careers →Michelle T.
Los Angeles • Pacific Dental Services
"California's DA requirements are rigorous but the pay reflects it. Worth the investment!"
2024-11
Kevin L.
San Francisco • UCSF Dental
"Working at UCSF Dental exposed me to cutting-edge procedures and amazing mentors."
2024-10
Sophia R.
San Diego • Western Dental
"Started as DA, now pursuing RDA. The DSO has great tuition assistance programs."
2024-09
California dental assistants earn an average of $53,570 annually ($25.76/hour). Entry-level positions start at $42,500-$48,500, while RDAs earn $57,000-$72,000+. Bay Area wages reach $68,000+ but cost of living is highest nationally. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
California has distinct credential levels: Dental Assistants (DAs) perform basic duties with infection control and CA Dental Practice Act training. Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs) complete approved programs, pass board exams, and can perform expanded duties including coronal polishing, impressions, and restorative functions.
EHired's free online program can be completed in 4-8 weeks. California requires additional infection control and CA Dental Practice Act courses (about 8 hours each). Full RDA certification requires an approved program (typically 9-12 months) plus state board examination.
Excellent! 6% projected growth in the nation's largest dental market. California's 22,500+ dental practices, multiple dental schools, and diverse population create continuous demand. Major DSOs like Pacific Dental Services headquartered in California drive significant employment.
Yes! EHired's training is completely free. California requires additional courses (infection control, Dental Practice Act) which have fees. RDA certification requires approved programs and board exam fees ($150+). Many California employers reimburse certification costs.
San Francisco Bay Area leads with $55,000-$68,000 (highest wages but highest cost of living). Orange County follows at $52,000-$62,000 with strong cosmetic dentistry market. Los Angeles offers $50,000-$60,000 in the state's largest dental market with most diverse opportunities.
No, California's RDA credential requires completion of a Dental Board-approved program with hands-on clinical components. However, EHired's free training provides excellent preparation for entry-level DA positions while you pursue RDA certification through an approved program.
California RDAs can perform: coronal polishing, fluoride application, sealants, impressions, temporary crowns/bridges, cement temporaries, and monitor nitrous oxide. With additional Extended Functions (EF) permits, RDAEFs can place and carve amalgam and composite restorations.
Join thousands of California residents who launched their dental assisting careers with our free training.
Enroll Free Today — No Credit Card RequiredCalifornia operates the nation's largest dental market, serving 39 million residents through an estimated 22,500+ dental practices. The state's dental assistant workforce numbers approximately 55,000, reflecting the massive scale of dental employment opportunities.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports California employed approximately 55,400 dental assistants in May 2024, earning a median annual wage of $53,570—above the national median. However, California's high cost of living significantly impacts purchasing power, particularly in the Bay Area and coastal regions.
California hosts five dental schools—UCLA, UCSF, USC, UOP, and Loma Linda—more than any other state. These institutions create substantial employment opportunities for dental assistants interested in academic settings and complex clinical cases.
Pacific Dental Services, founded and headquartered in Irvine, represents the nation's largest dental support organization, supporting 900+ practices primarily in the western United States. This California-based DSO creates thousands of DA employment opportunities statewide.
California's Dental Board maintains relatively rigorous requirements compared to other states, with distinct DA and RDA credential levels. The RDA credential requires approved program completion and state board examination, offering higher earning potential and expanded clinical responsibilities.
Kaiser Permanente's integrated healthcare model includes extensive dental services for members, employing thousands of dental assistants across 100+ dental offices statewide. This employer represents a unique alternative to traditional dental practice employment.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023; BLS OEWS May 2024; ADA Health Policy Institute; DANB.