Pay
The median is the middle of dentists already employed, not a starting wage. The 25th is the lower quarter of that group. The 75th is what the upper quarter already earns.
| 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.
Hiring difficulty and demand
This is the same score as the free check.
Who's hiring
- Santa Cruz Community Health Centers, 6 campuses
- Smith Dental, 3 campuses
- Drew Dental, 2 campuses
- Johnson Dental, 2 campuses
- Parti Dental, 2 campuses
- Western Dental Services, 2 campuses
Campuses on file in the provider extract, not live job ads.
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
The work
The schedule is the day. You move between exams, restorations, and the patient in pain who needs a slot that morning.
Between patients you read images, review treatment plans, and sign off on hygiene exams. Owners also carry payroll, equipment, and insurance contracts.
Nearby metros
- San Jose, CA · 25 miles
- Salinas, CA · 30 miles
- San Francisco, CA · 59 miles
- Modesto, CA · 73 miles
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One manager hiring: Hire a Dentist in Santa Cruz.
Dentists, General hiring pages
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Questions
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.