SOC 51-9081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dental Laboratory Technicians — California
California · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Dental Laboratory Technicians in California is $47,410 per year, close to the national median of $49,610 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Dental Laboratory Technicians in California is $47,410 per year, close to the national median of $49,610 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $39,190 and $60,750. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $36,660 and the ninetieth at $74,200.
Employment stands at 4,480, or 0.2 jobs per thousand held locally. California ranks number 32nd out of 46 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Santa Rosa records the highest median at $65,500. Of the 793 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 630th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,660 | −26.1% |
| 25th | $39,190 | −21.0% |
| Median (50th) | $47,410 | −4.4% |
| 75th | $60,750 | +22.5% |
| 90th | $74,200 | +49.6% |
| Mean | $53,210 | +7.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa | $65,500 | 40 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $60,940 | 280 | |
| 3 | San Jose | $60,510 | 190 | |
| 4 | Stockton | $59,110 | 40 | |
| 5 | Riverside | $57,020 | 240 | |
| 6 | San Diego | $50,910 | 250 | |
| 7 | Sacramento | $50,690 | 230 | |
| 8 | Santa Maria | $49,660 | 70 | |
| 9 | Bakersfield | $47,410 | 60 | |
| 10 | Los Angeles | $46,460 | 2,710 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $47,410 buys what $42,827 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 13.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$47,410as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,827US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $47,410 a year, 4.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,660 to $74,200 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,480 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 32nd of 46 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Santa Rosa, at $65,500.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dental Laboratory Technicians in California?
The median annual wage is $47,410, or $22.80 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $49,610, so pay in California is 4.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in California earns more than $74,200 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,660 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Santa Rosa, at $65,500 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,480 jobs in this occupation in California. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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