What to offer
A group practice that copies a national midpoint will lose an associate to the office that offered a better schedule. Use this metro's median as a floor, and the 75th for someone who can run a full chair on day one.
| Percentile | Metro | CA | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th | $175,170 | $124,470 | $125,710 |
| Median | $175,950 | $165,950 | $170,950 |
| 75th | $177,210 | $213,260 | $224,040 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
How hard this is to fill
This is the same score as the free check.
For one manager
Say what the schedule looks like, who owns the patients, and how pay is figured. Ask which procedures the dentist does without referring out.
License and training
Every state licenses dentists through its dental board. The usual path is a DDS or DMD from an accredited school, the national board exam, and a clinical exam the state accepts. Confirm your state board's rules before you hire or start.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, dentists
Nearby metros
- San Jose, CA · 25 miles
- Salinas, CA · 30 miles
- San Francisco, CA · 59 miles
- Modesto, CA · 73 miles
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Job seekers: Dentist jobs in Santa Cruz.
Dentists, General hiring pages
Questions
What do dentists earn in Santa Cruz, CA?
In Santa Cruz, the May 2025 median for dentists is about $176.0K, within 3 percent of the U.S. median. The middle half runs from $175.2K to $177.2K.
Who hires dentists in Santa Cruz?
Dental practices, group practices, and community health centers hire dentists in Santa Cruz. Organizations on file in the provider extract include Santa Cruz Community Health Centers, Smith Dental, Drew Dental.
How do I get licensed as a dentist in California?
Start with the California dental board. It sets the exams it accepts and the steps for a dentist moving from another state to Santa Cruz.
What should a practice in Santa Cruz weigh when hiring a dentist?
Ask which procedures the dentist does alone and how fast they build a schedule. Santa Cruz has a deeper bench of these workers than a typical metro. This metro is 6% over the California median.