Dentist, General salary in California
What dentists, general earn in California and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country.
Median pay$165,950$79.79 per hour
vs U.S.−3%U.S. median $170,950
Middle half earn$124,470 – $213,260Top 10%: $272,730+
Jobs16,7701.15× the U.S. concentration
Dentist, General pay in California cities
Metro areas as BLS defines them. Click a column to sort.
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $139,990 | $67.30 | 6,300 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $202,060 | $97.14 | 2,090 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $158,160 | $76.04 | 1,710 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $125,230 | $60.21 | 1,560 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $207,910 | $99.96 | 1,130 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $170,500 | $81.97 | 970 |
| Fresno, CA | $188,510 | $90.63 | 340 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $178,150 | $85.65 | 310 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $169,160 | $81.33 | 230 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $172,120 | $82.75 | 220 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $168,150 | $80.84 | 200 |
| Salinas, CA | $185,040 | $88.96 | 170 |
| Visalia, CA | $214,950 | $103.34 | 170 |
| Modesto, CA | $167,050 | $80.31 | 160 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $170,940 | $82.18 | 140 |
| Vallejo, CA | $183,000 | $87.98 | 140 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $170,630 | $82.04 | 100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $175,950 | $84.59 | 90 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $208,000 | $100.00 | 90 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $209,400 | $100.67 | 90 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $208,000 | $100.00 | 70 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $222,430 | $106.94 | 60 |
| Redding, CA | $170,060 | $81.76 | 60 |
| Chico, CA | $163,520 | $78.62 | 50 |
| El Centro, CA | $217,830 | $104.73 | 40 |
| Merced, CA | $170,200 | $81.83 | 40 |
| Yuba City, CA | $175,850 | $84.55 | 40 |
Hospitals and jobs in California
Dentist, General pay in similar states
Hawaii · $167,820 Ohio · $167,410 Montana · $167,200 Indiana · $166,650 Colorado · $166,240 Oklahoma · $166,170
Other healthcare salaries in California
Home Health and Personal Care Aides · $34,320 Registered Nurses · $140,270 Medical Assistants · $49,660 Nursing Assistants · $47,630 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses · $79,750 Dental Assistants · $50,110 Pharmacy Technicians · $55,110 Pharmacists · $164,610 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians · $76,010 Physical Therapists · $124,190 Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other · $60,390 Physicians, All Other · $281,590
Questions
How much does a dentist, general make in California?
Dentists, General in California earned a median of $165,950 a year ($79.79 an hour) in May 2025, 3% less than the national median of $170,950. The middle half earned $124,470 to $213,260.
Where in California do dentists, general earn the most?
Among areas in California, pay was highest in Hanford-Corcoran, CA at $222,430.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Pay doesn't reflect cost of living, overtime or shift differentials.