Dental Office Manager jobs in Merced, CA
Dental Office Managers in the Merced area earn a median of $50.90 per hour, about $105,870 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $29.19 and $76.52. That ranks 184th of 377 U.S. metro areas for dental office manager pay, and 269th of 333 once local prices are factored in. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Merced.
- $50.90median pay per hour, Merced
- $29–$77typical range per hour
- 230dental office managers employed in the metro area
- 98cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Dental Office Manager pay in Merced, CA
The metro median is 22% below the California statewide median of $65.62 per hour. Nationally the median is $56.71 per hour. BLS counts about 230 medical and health services managers employed in the Merced metro area, 2.9 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.80).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $24.50 | $50,960 | 57% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $29.19 | $60,720 | 49% below U.S. median |
| Median | $50.90 | $105,870 | 10% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $76.52 | $159,160 | 35% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $90.26 | $187,740 | 59% above U.S. median |
How Merced ranks
- 184th of 377 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 269th of 333 after adjusting for local prices
- 22nd of 22 California metro areas
BLS does not publish a separate figure for dental office manager. These numbers are for the broader category it belongs to, Medical and Health Services Managers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Medical and Health Services Managers (SOC 11-9111), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Merced
- Overall prices in Merced run 2% below the U.S. average (index 98.3, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 21% below the U.S. average (index 78.6).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $50.90 median hour buys what $51.79 buys at the national price level, 9% 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.
Get the Merced Dental Office Manager pay report
Named employers near Merced, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Merced paycheck
- Per year: $91,620
- Per month: $7,635
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Merced metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Dental health shortage areas in Merced County
HRSA lists 6 active dental health shortage designations that include Merced County (1 population-group, 5 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 Office Manager pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turlock, CA | 25 mi | $67.32/hr | 72,888 |
| Madera, CA | 32 mi | $65.11/hr | 69,094 |
| Modesto, CA | 37 mi | $67.32/hr | 220,592 |
| Fresno, CA | 52 mi | $65.11/hr | 550,105 |
| Manteca, CA | 53 mi | $63.51/hr | 94,292 |
| Clovis, CA | 55 mi | $65.11/hr | 127,993 |
Dental Office Manager jobs in California · Dental Office Manager jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in California
Management or dental office experience. 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 Merced
Merced city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dental office managers make in Merced, CA?
Dental Office Managers in the Merced metro area have a median pay of $50.90 per hour, about $105,870 a year. The middle half earn between $29.19 and $76.52 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Merced a good place for dental office managers once cost of living is counted?
Merced ranks 269th of 333 metro areas for dental office manager pay after adjusting for local prices, and 184th of 377 before adjusting. Overall prices run 2% below the U.S. average.
Do I need a California license to work in Merced as a dental office manager?
Management or dental office experience. 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 Merced in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 6 active dental health shortage designations that include Merced County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
Does Valorem Health place dental office managers in Merced?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Merced and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Merced.
What do employers near Merced pay dental office managers? 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
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230+ Dental Office Manager roles in California, sent free by email
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Your Office Manager pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your California list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Aspen DentalBend, OR · 3 postings$32.45/ hr$23–$34
- Aspen DentalSt. Charles, MO · 3 postings$30.05/ hr$19–$31
- Aspen DentalCharlotte, NC · 9 postings$27.64/ hr$19–$31
- Smile BrandsHouston, TX · 4 postings$27.52/ hr$24–$31
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your California list
2What they are offering now
197 Office Manager postings with published pay in the US, 122 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Office Manager roles
Open Office Manager roles near Merced, CA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.