Dental Assistant Salary in Modesto, CA
Dental Assistants in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median $50,170 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $40,780 take-home, or $3,398 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median dental assistant salary in Modesto, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,840
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,111
- Medicare (1.45%)$727
- California income tax$1,060
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$652
- Take-home pay$40,780
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Dental Assistant pay by experience in Modesto, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,400 | $18.46 | $32,010 | $2,667 |
| 25th percentile | $47,230 | $22.71 | $38,632 | $3,219 |
| Median (50th) | $50,170 | $24.12 | $40,780 | $3,398 |
| 75th percentile | $59,680 | $28.69 | $47,727 | $3,977 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,460 | $30.03 | $49,758 | $4,146 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $50,170 buys in Modesto, CA
Prices in Modesto, CA are 4.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.08× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median dental assistant's $40,780 take-home pay has the buying power of $39,171 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Modesto, CA has 1.8× the national concentration of dental assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for dental assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Modesto, CA ranks #109 of 142 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis, MN | $72,370 | $56,345 | $53,753 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $74,600 | $57,585 | $52,150 |
| 3 | Raleigh, NC | $58,750 | $47,550 | $48,443 |
| 4 | Asheville, NC | $56,680 | $45,970 | $47,634 |
| 5 | Portland, ME | $61,240 | $48,434 | $47,551 |
| 6 | Lansing, MI | $56,150 | $45,161 | $47,542 |
| 7 | Manchester, NH | $59,700 | $50,149 | $47,464 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $62,040 | $52,029 | $46,817 |
| 109 | Modesto, CA | $50,170 | $40,780 | $39,171 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 142 metros →
Dental Assistant salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $74,600
- Santa Rosa, CA — $60,590
- San Francisco, CA — $64,390
- Sacramento, CA — $58,580
- Vallejo, CA — $59,000
- Oxnard, CA — $58,930
- San Luis Obispo, CA — $57,150
- Salinas, CA — $56,790
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Modesto, CA?
The median dental assistant salary in the Modesto, CA metro area is $50,170 a year, or about $24.12 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $47,230 and $59,680.
What is a dental assistant’s take-home pay in Modesto, CA?
On the median $50,170 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $40,780 a year ($3,398 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,712 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Modesto, CA a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $48,070. Local prices are 4.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $39,171 would in a typical U.S. city. Modesto, CA ranks #109 of 142 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a dental assistant afford rent in Modesto, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Modesto, CA is $1,356 a month ($1,758 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median dental assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Modesto, CA
- Medical Assistant — $49,990
- Nursing Assistant — $46,550
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,320