CA · Madera · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Assistant jobs in Madera, CA

The median dental assistant pay in the Madera area is $22.47 per hour ($46,730 a year), with the typical range running from $21.95 to $29.12. That ranks 154th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 241st of 339 once local prices are factored in. 2 open roles with published pay are listed for Madera and its metro area. The free report below lists employers near Madera and what they pay.

Open Dental Assistant roles near Madera

Roles in other cities of the Fresno area.

PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Dental Assistant

Aspen Dental · Clovis, CA

$18.00–$25.00/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-011369
View role

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

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Who is hiring dental assistants near Madera

EmployerRolesMedian pay / hour
ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers1$28.50
Aspen Dental1$21.50

Dental Assistant pay in Madera, CA

The metro median is 4% below the California statewide median of $23.51 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 1,450 dental assistants employed in the Fresno metro area, 3.1 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.27).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$18.36$38,19019% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$21.95$45,6603% below U.S. median
Median$22.47$46,7301% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$29.12$60,57028% above U.S. median
Top 10%$30.07$62,55032% above U.S. median

How Madera ranks

  • 154th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 241st of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 22nd 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 Madera

  • Overall prices in Fresno run 2% above the U.S. average (index 102.2, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 4% below the U.S. average (index 95.7).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $22.47 median hour buys what $22.00 buys at the national price level, 3% below 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 Madera paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$809
  • Per year: $40,446
  • Per month: $3,370

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Fresno metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Dental health shortage areas in Madera County

HRSA lists 6 active dental health shortage designations that include Madera County (2 population-group, 4 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 22 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
Fresno, CA21 mi$22.47/hr550,105
Clovis, CA24 mi$22.47/hr127,993
Merced, CA32 mi$22.80/hr96,073
Hanford, CA50 mi$23.60/hr60,594
Turlock, CA57 mi$23.39/hr72,888
Visalia, CA61 mi$23.04/hr146,271

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 Madera

Madera city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental assistants make in Madera, CA?

Dental Assistants in the Fresno metro area have a median pay of $22.47 per hour, about $46,730 a year. The middle half earn between $21.95 and $29.12 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Fresno ranks 241st of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 154th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 2% above the U.S. average.

Who is hiring dental assistants in Madera?

We list 2 open roles with published pay from 2 employers in the Fresno area. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Madera.

Do I need a California license to work in Madera 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 Madera in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 6 active dental health shortage designations that include Madera 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 Madera?

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

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

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  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other employers

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

  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 Madera, CA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dental Assistant pay reportMadera, 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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