Dental Office Manager jobs in Watsonville, CA
Dental Office Managers in the Watsonville area earn a median of $65.40 per hour, about $136,030 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $40.91 and $97.77. That ranks 22nd of 377 U.S. metro areas for dental office manager pay, and 79th of 333 once local prices are factored in. The free report below lists employers near Watsonville and what they pay.
- $65.40median pay per hour, Santa Cruz
- $41–$98typical range per hour
- 440dental office managers employed in the metro area
- 110cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Dental Office Manager pay in Watsonville, CA
The metro median is in line with the California statewide median of $65.62 per hour. Nationally the median is $56.71 per hour. BLS counts about 440 medical and health services managers employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro area, 4.4 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.21).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $33.96 | $70,640 | 40% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $40.91 | $85,090 | 28% below U.S. median |
| Median | $65.40 | $136,030 | 15% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $97.77 | $203,360 | 72% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $115+ | $239,200+ | 103% above U.S. median |
How Watsonville ranks
- 22nd of 377 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 79th of 333 after adjusting for local prices
- 9th 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. Figures marked $115+ are the BLS top-coded maximum. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Watsonville
- Overall prices in Santa Cruz-Watsonville run 10% above the U.S. average (index 109.9, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 64% above the U.S. average (index 164.3).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $65.40 median hour buys what $59.51 buys at the national price level, 5% 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.
Get the Watsonville Dental Office Manager pay report
Named employers near Watsonville, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Watsonville paycheck
- Per year: $117,720
- Per month: $9,810
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Dental health shortage areas in Santa Cruz County
HRSA lists 3 active dental health shortage designations that include Santa Cruz County (3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilroy, CA | 12 mi | $80.51/hr | 60,390 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 15 mi | $65.40/hr | 62,581 |
| Salinas, CA | 18 mi | $63.21/hr | 160,783 |
| San Jose, CA | 26 mi | $80.51/hr | 997,368 |
| Cupertino, CA | 31 mi | $80.51/hr | 58,710 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 32 mi | $80.51/hr | 133,132 |
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 Watsonville
Watsonville city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dental office managers make in Watsonville, CA?
Dental Office Managers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro area have a median pay of $65.40 per hour, about $136,030 a year. The middle half earn between $40.91 and $97.77 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Watsonville a good place for dental office managers once cost of living is counted?
Santa Cruz-Watsonville ranks 79th of 333 metro areas for dental office manager pay after adjusting for local prices, and 22nd of 377 before adjusting. Overall prices run 10% above the U.S. average.
Do I need a California license to work in Watsonville 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 Watsonville in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 3 active dental health shortage designations that include Santa Cruz 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 Watsonville?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Watsonville and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Watsonville.
What do employers near Watsonville pay dental office managers? Get the report.
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- 1Pay for your role at other employers
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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 Watsonville, CA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.