Dental Specialist jobs in San Marcos, CA
Dental Specialists in the San Marcos area earn a median of $106.17 per hour, about $220,840 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $93.47 and $112.24. That ranks 5th of 10 U.S. metro areas for dental specialist pay, and 7th of 10 once local prices are factored in. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near San Marcos.
- $106.17median pay per hour, San Diego
- $93–$112typical range per hour
- 50dental specialists employed in the metro area
- 112cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Dental Specialist pay in San Marcos, CA
Nationally the median is $108.54 per hour. BLS counts about 50 dentists, all other specialists employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area, 0.0 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% | $88.81 | $184,720 | 18% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $93.47 | $194,420 | 14% below U.S. median |
| Median | $106.17 | $220,840 | 2% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $112.24 | $233,460 | 3% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $115+ | $239,200+ | 6% above U.S. median |
How San Marcos ranks
- 5th of 10 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 7th of 10 after adjusting for local prices
BLS does not publish a separate figure for dental specialist. These numbers are for the broader category it belongs to, Dentists, All Other Specialists.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dentists, All Other Specialists (SOC 29-1029), 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 San Marcos
- Overall prices in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad run 12% above the U.S. average (index 111.9, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 79% above the U.S. average (index 179.3).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $106.17 median hour buys what $94.89 buys at the national price level, 13% 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 San Marcos Dental Specialist pay report
Named employers near San Marcos, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your San Marcos paycheck
- Per year: $191,106
- Per month: $15,926
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Dental health shortage areas in San Diego County
HRSA lists 28 active dental health shortage designations that include San Diego County (7 population-group, 21 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 Specialist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escondido, CA | 6 mi | $106.17/hr | 148,847 |
| Vista, CA | 6 mi | $106.17/hr | 99,322 |
| Temecula, CA | 25 mi | $97.69/hr | 112,431 |
| Murrieta, CA | 30 mi | $97.69/hr | 112,539 |
Dental Specialist jobs in California · Dental Specialist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in California
Active dental license in the state of the job. 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 San Marcos
San Marcos city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dental specialists make in San Marcos, CA?
Dental Specialists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area have a median pay of $106.17 per hour, about $220,840 a year. The middle half earn between $93.47 and $112.24 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is San Marcos a good place for dental specialists once cost of living is counted?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad ranks 7th of 10 metro areas for dental specialist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 5th of 10 before adjusting. Overall prices run 12% above the U.S. average.
Do I need a California license to work in San Marcos as a dental specialist?
Active dental license in the state of the job. 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 San Marcos in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 28 active dental health shortage designations that include San Diego County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
Does Valorem Health place dental specialists in San Marcos?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in San Marcos and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near San Marcos.
What do employers near San Marcos pay dental specialists? 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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Your Dental Specialist pay reportSan Marcos, CA · employer-reported wage offers in federal filings, July 2025 – June 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Western Dental Services, Inc.Turlock, CA · 1 wage offer$200.00/ hr$200–$200
- Joyce M Truong Dds IncLos Angeles, CA · 1 wage offer$169.00/ hr$150–$188
- Ai Huang DMD IncFountain Valley, CA · 1 wage offer$148.13/ hr$148–$148
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
6 employer-reported wage offers for Dental Specialist in federal filings in California, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Dental Specialist roles
Open Dental Specialist roles near San Marcos, CA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.