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Dental Secretary Salary in San Diego, CA
How much does a Dental Secretary make in San Diego, CA?
$48,157 (USD)/year
Average Bonus
$746 (USD)
per Year
Total Compensation
$48,390.43
Entry Level
$36,919
Median
$47,644
Senior Level
$53,166
As of July, 23, 2026, the average dental secretary gross salary in San Diego, California is $48,157 or an equivalent hourly rate of $23. In addition, dental secretaries earn an average bonus of $746. An entry level dental secretary with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $36,919. At the higher end of the pay range, a senior level dental secretary with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $53,166. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in San Diego, California.
Data powered by ERI
Salary Potential for a Dental Secretary
Explore the estimated salary growth for a Dental Secretary in San Diego, CA for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of a Dental Secretary will be $49,404 in 1 year and $54,726 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$50,684
Average Growth
5.2 %
The estimated salary for a Dental Secretary in 2 years is $50,684, which is 5.2 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.
Typical Dental Secretary Education
This chart displays the highest level of education for Dental Secretaries.
- 50% of Dental Secretaries have less than a High School Diploma
- 0% of Dental Secretaries have a High School Diploma
- 50% of Dental Secretaries have an Associate's Degree
- 0% of Dental Secretaries have a Bachelor's Degree
- 0% of Dental Secretaries have a Master's Degree
- 0% of Dental Secretaries have a Doctorate Degree
Popular Skills for a Dental Secretary
Arranges appointments
100%
Assists manager
100%
Transcribes notes
100%
Welcomes patients
100%
These are the most popular skills for Dental Secretaries. About 100% of Dental Secretaries have a skill in Arranges appointments. The top 3 most popular skills for Dental Secretaries are arranges appointments, assists manager, and transcribes notes.
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Where can a Dental Secretary earn more?
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Dental Secretary Salaries in Other Locations
Salaries for Similar Job Titles in San Diego, CA
Data not available.
Dental Secretary Jobs
View moreCost of Living in San Diego, CA
The cost of living in San Diego, CA is 66% higher than the national average.
66% higher
than the national average
Whether you're planning to move or just want to see the cost of living in different locations, our cost-of-living calculator is the place to start. Compare salaries for other locations by city, U.S. ZIP code, state, or country.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Dental Secretary do?
Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.
How much does a Dental Secretary make in San Diego, CA?
The average salary for a Dental Secretary is $48,157 per year or $23.15 per hour in San Diego, CA. Top earners have reported making up to $53,166. However, the typical pay range in San Diego, CA is between $36,919 and $53,166 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for a Dental Secretary?
Dental Secretary is projected to see a 13.6 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer?
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career.
What are some factors that impact Dental Secretary salaries?
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.
About Our Data
This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.
ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.
Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.
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