Salary AI Book a Demo

Lead Orthodontic Assistant Salary in California

How much does a Lead Orthodontic Assistant make in California?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Orthodontic Assistant in California is $222,208 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $107.

However, a Lead Orthodontic Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $283,387
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $210,896 to $254,232
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $200,596
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Lead Orthodontic Assistant Salaries

A Lead Orthodontic Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Lead Orthodontic Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Orthodontic Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $215,889
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $216,623
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $217,357
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $218,385
  • Expert (over 8 years): $222,209
Levels Salary
Entry Level Lead Orthodontic Assistant$215,889
Intermediate Level Lead Orthodontic Assistant$216,623
Senior Level Lead Orthodontic Assistant$217,357
Specialist Level Lead Orthodontic Assistant$218,385
Expert Level Lead Orthodontic Assistant$222,209
View as Graph

How Do Lead Orthodontic Assistant Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Lead Orthodontic Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $223,054.
  • California: $222,208.
  • Massachusetts: $219,247.

Top Paying Cities for Lead Orthodontic Assistants

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $222,591
  • West Hollywood: $222,430
  • Dodgertown: $222,589

Lead Orthodontic Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lead Orthodontic Assistant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Lead Orthodontic Assistant positions in Pharmaceuticals or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Orthodontic Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lead Orthodontic Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$333,312$160.050%
Biotechnology$266,650$128.020%

Lead Orthodontic Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lead Orthodontic Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$210,896
Average $222,208/year
$254,232
$17,575
Average $18,517/month
$21,186
$4,056
Average $4,273/week
$4,889
$101
Average $107/hour
$122
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $254,232 $21,186 $4,889 $122
Average $222,208 $18,517 $4,273 $107
25th Percentile $210,896 $17,575 $4,056 $101

Find Your Next Lead Orthodontic Assistant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Orthodontic Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst