CA · Turlock · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Assistant jobs in Turlock, CA

Pay for dental assistants in the Turlock area centers on $23.39 per hour, or about $48,650 a year. The lower quarter earns under $18.02 and the upper quarter over $27.91. That ranks 77th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 215th of 339 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Turlock and its metro area. The free report below lists employers near Turlock and what they pay.

Open Dental Assistant roles near Turlock

Roles in other cities of the Modesto area.

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

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Dental Assistant pay in Turlock, CA

The metro median is 1% below the California statewide median of $23.51 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 860 dental assistants employed in the Modesto metro area, 4.4 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.81).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$17.95$37,34021% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$18.02$37,48021% below U.S. median
Median$23.39$48,6503% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$27.91$58,05023% above U.S. median
Top 10%$31.32$65,15038% above U.S. median

How Turlock ranks

  • 77th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 215th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 14th 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 Turlock

  • Overall prices in Modesto run 4% above the U.S. average (index 104.1, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 8% above the U.S. average (index 108.5).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $23.39 median hour buys what $22.47 buys at the national price level, 1% 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 Turlock paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$842
  • Per year: $42,102
  • Per month: $3,508

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

Dental health shortage areas in Stanislaus County

HRSA lists 3 active dental health shortage designations that include Stanislaus County (3 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 15 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
Modesto, CA12 mi$23.39/hr220,592
Merced, CA25 mi$22.80/hr96,073
Manteca, CA28 mi$23.08/hr94,292
Tracy, CA36 mi$23.08/hr100,136
Stockton, CA41 mi$23.08/hr324,975
Lodi, CA49 mi$23.08/hr68,642

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 Turlock

Turlock city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental assistants make in Turlock, CA?

Dental Assistants in the Modesto metro area have a median pay of $23.39 per hour, about $48,650 a year. The middle half earn between $18.02 and $27.91 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Modesto ranks 215th of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 77th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 4% above the U.S. average.

Who is hiring dental assistants in Turlock?

We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in the Modesto area. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Turlock.

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

HRSA lists 3 active dental health shortage designations that include Stanislaus 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 Turlock?

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

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

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    Pay for your role at other employers

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    What they are offering now

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

Your Dental Assistant pay reportTurlock, 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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