CA · Cupertino · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Assistant jobs in Cupertino, CA

Dental Assistants in the Cupertino area earn a median of $31.06 per hour, about $64,600 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $28.04 and $37.70. That ranks 2nd of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 8th of 339 once local prices are factored in. 2 open roles with published pay are listed for Cupertino and its metro area. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Cupertino.

Open Dental Assistant roles near Cupertino

Roles in other cities of the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area.

PermanentPosted 4 days ago

Dental Assistant

Smile Brands · San Jose, CA

$21.00–$25.00/ hour
  • Full-time
  • Req 39263
New this week
View role

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Named employers near Cupertino, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Who is hiring dental assistants near Cupertino

EmployerRolesMedian pay / hour
Smile Brands1$23
Aspen Dental1$22

Dental Assistant pay in Cupertino, CA

The metro median is 32% above the California statewide median of $23.51 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 2,840 dental assistants employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area, 2.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.03).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$24.20$50,3406% above U.S. median
Lower quartile$28.04$58,32023% above U.S. median
Median$31.06$64,60037% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$37.70$78,42066% above U.S. median
Top 10%$49.93$103,850120% above U.S. median

How Cupertino ranks

  • 2nd of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 8th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 1st of 24 California metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dental Assistants (SOC 31-9091), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Cupertino

  • Overall prices in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara run 10% above the U.S. average (index 110.4, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 112% above the U.S. average (index 211.9).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $31.06 median hour buys what $28.13 buys at the national price level, 24% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your Cupertino paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,118
  • Per year: $55,908
  • Per month: $4,659

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Dental health shortage areas in Santa Clara County

HRSA lists 13 active dental health shortage designations that include Santa Clara County (13 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 25 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Dental Assistant pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Sunnyvale, CA5 mi$31.06/hr156,792
Santa Clara, CA5 mi$31.06/hr133,132
Fremont, CA13 mi$30.14/hr228,192
Redwood City, CA16 mi$30.14/hr82,982
Union City, CA20 mi$30.14/hr66,196
Hayward, CA21 mi$30.14/hr158,440

Dental Assistant jobs in California · Dental Assistant jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in California

State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

California taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

California state guide

Other healthcare roles in Cupertino

Cupertino city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental assistants make in Cupertino, CA?

Dental Assistants in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area have a median pay of $31.06 per hour, about $64,600 a year. The middle half earn between $28.04 and $37.70 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Cupertino a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ranks 8th of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 2nd of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 10% above the U.S. average.

Who is hiring dental assistants in Cupertino?

We list 2 open roles with published pay from 2 employers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Cupertino.

Do I need a California license to work in Cupertino as a dental assistant?

State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Cupertino in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 13 active dental health shortage designations that include Santa Clara County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

Does Valorem Health place dental assistants in Cupertino?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Cupertino and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Cupertino.

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What do employers near Cupertino pay dental assistants? Get the report.

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    Pay for your role at other employers

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  2. 2
    What they are offering now

    The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.

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Pay report · Dental Assistant near Cupertino, CA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dental Assistant pay reportCupertino, CA · pay published by employers, collected October 15, 2026

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • ClearChoice Dental Implant CentersFresno, CA · 2 postings$28.75/ hr$27–$30
  • Aspen DentalCitrus Heights, CA · 9 postings$27.25/ hr$18–$40
  • Smile BrandsMission Viejo, CA · 20 postings$24.75/ hr$19–$32
  • PDS HealthLa Mesa, CA · 54 postings$23.00/ hr$17–$36

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.

2What they are offering now

Low$19Median$24.00High$29

86 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in California, 67 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 86 Dental Assistant roles

  1. Experienced Registered Dental AssistantPermanent
    $22.25–$31.00/ hour
    PDS Health · La Mesa, CA · posted today
  2. Dental AssistantPermanent
    $21.00–$29.25/ hour
    PDS Health · Elk Grove, CA · posted today

+ 84 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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