PermanentPosted 30+ days ago
Dental Assistant
PDS Health · Petaluma, CA
$22.50–$31.50/ hour
Top 25% pay
Dental Assistant jobs in Petaluma, CA
The median dental assistant pay in the Petaluma area is $30.11 per hour ($62,620 a year), with the typical range running from $28.23 to $35.50. That ranks 5th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 11th of 339 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Petaluma. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Petaluma.
- $30.11median pay per hour, Santa Rosa
- $28–$36typical range per hour
- 680dental assistants employed in the metro area
- 1open roles with published pay
Open Dental Assistant roles in Petaluma
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65+ more Dental Assistant roles for you in Petaluma, CA
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Get my free pay reportDental Assistant pay in Petaluma, CA
The metro median is 28% above the California statewide median of $23.51 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 680 dental assistants employed in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma metro area, 3.3 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.37).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $23.16 | $48,170 | 2% above U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $28.23 | $58,720 | 24% above U.S. median |
| Median | $30.11 | $62,620 | 32% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $35.50 | $73,840 | 56% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $36.29 | $75,480 | 60% above U.S. median |
How Petaluma ranks
- 5th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 11th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
- 3rd 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 Petaluma
- Overall prices in Santa Rosa-Petaluma run 8% above the U.S. average (index 107.8, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 40% above the U.S. average (index 139.6).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $30.11 median hour buys what $27.94 buys at the national price level, 23% 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 Petaluma paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$1,084
- Per year: $54,198
- Per month: $4,516
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Santa Rosa-Petaluma metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Dental health shortage areas in Sonoma County
HRSA lists 7 active dental health shortage designations that include Sonoma County (7 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 26 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
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novato, CA | 12 mi | $30.14/hr | 52,311 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 15 mi | $30.11/hr | 177,524 |
| Napa, CA | 18 mi | $28.22/hr | 76,921 |
| San Rafael, CA | 19 mi | $30.14/hr | 59,961 |
| Vallejo, CA | 22 mi | $28.95/hr | 123,475 |
| Richmond, CA | 25 mi | $30.14/hr | 115,353 |
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.
Other healthcare roles in Petaluma
Petaluma city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dental assistants make in Petaluma, CA?
Dental Assistants in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma metro area have a median pay of $30.11 per hour, about $62,620 a year. The middle half earn between $28.23 and $35.50 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Petaluma a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?
Santa Rosa-Petaluma ranks 11th of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 5th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% above the U.S. average.
Who is hiring dental assistants in Petaluma?
We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Petaluma. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Petaluma.
Do I need a California license to work in Petaluma 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 Petaluma in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 7 active dental health shortage designations that include Sonoma 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 Petaluma?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Petaluma and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Petaluma.
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What do employers near Petaluma pay dental assistants? Get the report.
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- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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230+ Dental Assistant roles in California, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Dental Assistant pay reportPetaluma, 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
- Experienced Registered Dental AssistantPermanent$22.25–$31.00/ hour
- Dental AssistantPermanent$21.00–$29.25/ hour
+ 84 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.