Dentist salary
BLS occupation: Dentists, General · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
Median salary $170,950 a year, US
Median hourly pay $82.19 an hour
Middle half earn $125,710–$224,040 25th to 75th percentile
Dentists employed 124,390 +5.7% projected by 2035
How much does a dentist make?
- The median dentist salary in the US is $170,950 a year ($82.19 an hour): half of the 124,390 dentists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $191,350.
- The middle half earn between $125,710 and $224,040. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $86,250 and the top 10% more than $319,630.
- That is 3.4 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Alaska pays dentists the most (median $230,990), followed by North Dakota ($220,660) and Minnesota ($219,200). Wyoming pays the least ($123,830).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in North Dakota, where the median is worth $248,047 in typical US prices, then Tennessee and Missouri. Alaska's higher pay is offset by its prices (102.4 vs a US average of 100).
- In all 311 metro areas with data, the median dentist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of dentists to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 4,200 openings a year. The typical entry education is a doctoral or professional degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what dentists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Dentist salary range
Half of dentists earn between $125,710 and $224,040 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $86,250
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $125,710
Median Yearly pay: $170,950
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $224,040
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $319,630
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $86,250 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $125,710 |
| Median | $170,950 |
| Top 25% earn over | $224,040 |
| Top 10% earn over | $319,630 |
Dentist salary by state
Alaska pays dentists the most; Wyoming the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($170,950), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $230,990 median |
| North Dakota | $220,660 median |
| Minnesota | $219,200 median |
| Tennessee | $215,290 median |
| Oregon | $211,690 median |
| Maine | $209,200 median |
| North Carolina | $207,000 median |
| Georgia | $206,760 median |
| Missouri | $204,960 median |
| Vermont | $204,960 median |
| Virginia | $197,110 median |
| Arizona | $194,180 median |
| Wisconsin | $193,690 median |
| New York | $183,060 median |
| Massachusetts | $181,600 median |
| Iowa | $181,520 median |
| Nebraska | $179,750 median |
| Arkansas | $178,930 median |
| New Hampshire | $177,480 median |
| Florida | $174,900 median |
| New Jersey | $171,330 median |
| Louisiana | $170,750 median |
| West Virginia | $170,370 median |
| Michigan | $169,930 median |
| Washington | $169,730 median |
| Maryland | $168,500 median |
| Hawaii | $167,820 median |
| Ohio | $167,410 median |
| Montana | $167,200 median |
| Indiana | $166,650 median |
| Colorado | $166,240 median |
| Oklahoma | $166,170 median |
| California | $165,950 median |
| Pennsylvania | $163,390 median |
| Texas | $162,360 median |
| Nevada | $162,200 median |
| Rhode Island | $161,560 median |
| Connecticut | $160,440 median |
| South Carolina | $158,640 median |
| South Dakota | $158,140 median |
| Illinois | $156,110 median |
| New Mexico | $155,260 median |
| Mississippi | $143,660 median |
| Kentucky | $134,160 median |
| Utah | $133,320 median |
| Idaho | $124,190 median |
| Wyoming | $123,830 median |
Where dentist pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Dentists' pay goes furthest in North Dakota once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $248,047 |
| Tennessee | $234,342 |
| Missouri | $225,685 |
| Alaska | $225,667 |
| Minnesota | $222,265 |
| North Carolina | $219,452 |
| Maine | $215,559 |
| Georgia | $214,720 |
| Vermont | $209,233 |
| Iowa | $206,832 |
Dentist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $230,990 | $111.05 | $124,200 | $320,440 | 310 | $225,667 |
| North Dakota | $220,660 | $106.09 | $138,570 | $308,040 | 260 | $248,047 |
| Minnesota | $219,200 | $105.38 | $132,930 | $226,940 | 2,370 | $222,265 |
| Tennessee | $215,290 | $103.50 | $84,360 | $311,900 | 2,200 | $234,342 |
| Oregon | $211,690 | $101.77 | $143,990 | $353,310 | 1,660 | $204,806 |
| Maine | $209,200 | $100.58 | $152,740 | $385,460 | 310 | $215,559 |
| North Carolina | $207,000 | $99.52 | $107,810 | $337,630 | 4,140 | $219,452 |
| Georgia | $206,760 | $99.40 | $93,590 | $373,420 | 2,620 | $214,720 |
| Missouri | $204,960 | $98.54 | $95,610 | $427,970 | 2,440 | $225,685 |
| Vermont | $204,960 | $98.54 | $112,490 | $326,360 | 240 | $209,233 |
| Virginia | $197,110 | $94.76 | $105,400 | $321,250 | 4,140 | $194,958 |
| Arizona | $194,180 | $93.36 | $62,230 | $336,320 | 3,470 | $192,874 |
| Wisconsin | $193,690 | $93.12 | $121,780 | $306,370 | 2,560 | $205,845 |
| New York | $183,060 | $88.01 | $75,410 | $375,740 | 7,340 | $169,624 |
| Massachusetts | $181,600 | $87.31 | $101,470 | $417,670 | 2,780 | $171,714 |
| Iowa | $181,520 | $87.27 | $100,920 | $259,990 | 1,240 | $206,832 |
| Nebraska | $179,750 | $86.42 | $68,040 | $265,940 | 790 | $199,494 |
| Arkansas | $178,930 | $86.02 | $99,010 | $223,010 | 1,210 | $205,816 |
| New Hampshire | $177,480 | $85.33 | $99,780 | $341,950 | 500 | $170,384 |
| Florida | $174,900 | $84.09 | $98,680 | $314,860 | 9,320 | $169,126 |
| New Jersey | $171,330 | $82.37 | $77,920 | $349,780 | 2,980 | $157,465 |
| Louisiana | $170,750 | $82.09 | $80,530 | $309,360 | 1,500 | $193,579 |
| West Virginia | $170,370 | $81.91 | $96,270 | $362,930 | 420 | $190,364 |
| Michigan | $169,930 | $81.70 | $109,960 | $303,980 | 3,620 | $176,611 |
| Washington | $169,730 | $81.60 | $85,240 | $346,840 | 3,240 | $158,607 |
| Maryland | $168,500 | $81.01 | $107,880 | $254,820 | 2,100 | $160,539 |
| Hawaii | $167,820 | $80.68 | $83,310 | $416,000 | 830 | $152,632 |
| Ohio | $167,410 | $80.49 | $64,910 | $316,970 | 2,790 | $180,449 |
| Montana | $167,200 | $80.38 | $63,710 | $230,580 | 380 | $176,660 |
| Indiana | $166,650 | $80.12 | $81,370 | $327,980 | 2,300 | $178,562 |
| Colorado | $166,240 | $79.92 | $84,590 | $229,070 | 2,940 | $161,317 |
| Oklahoma | $166,170 | $79.89 | $97,290 | $346,890 | 980 | $189,167 |
| California | $165,950 | $79.78 | $74,510 | $272,730 | 16,770 | $149,883 |
| Pennsylvania | $163,390 | $78.55 | $65,520 | $316,950 | 4,460 | $167,456 |
| Texas | $162,360 | $78.06 | $83,990 | $308,220 | 8,920 | $167,283 |
| Nevada | $162,200 | $77.98 | $99,600 | $262,350 | 1,100 | $162,234 |
| Rhode Island | $161,560 | $77.67 | $103,490 | $240,650 | 360 | $157,959 |
| Connecticut | $160,440 | $77.13 | $89,430 | $362,870 | 1,950 | $154,850 |
| South Carolina | $158,640 | $76.27 | $96,920 | $310,840 | 2,140 | $169,218 |
| South Dakota | $158,140 | $76.03 | $94,560 | $250,780 | 390 | $178,516 |
| Illinois | $156,110 | $75.05 | $123,920 | $291,530 | 6,940 | $156,176 |
| New Mexico | $155,260 | $74.64 | $101,180 | $306,320 | 780 | $168,373 |
| Mississippi | $143,660 | $69.07 | $59,700 | $240,450 | 740 | $165,216 |
| Kentucky | $134,160 | $64.50 | $44,820 | $344,040 | 790 | $148,804 |
| Utah | $133,320 | $64.10 | $84,020 | $222,820 | 1,020 | $134,852 |
| Idaho | $124,190 | $59.71 | $91,070 | $203,610 | 650 | $130,050 |
| Wyoming | $123,830 | $59.53 | $71,150 | $235,090 | 240 | $133,594 |
BLS does not publish pay for dentists in 4 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Dentist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes dentist pay: 315 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- North Port, FL $241,850
- Memphis, TN $238,040
- Columbia, SC $228,820
- Anchorage, AK $228,030
- Evansville, IN $225,620
- Bend, OR $224,990
- Atlanta, GA $222,690
- Hanford, CA $222,430
- Portland, ME $221,190
- Minneapolis, MN $219,980
Where the pay goes furthest
- Memphis, TN $258,237
- Evansville, IN $246,504
- Columbia, SC $244,304
- Springfield, MO $241,689
- St. Joseph, MO $240,154
- Canton, OH $237,836
- St. Cloud, MN $237,356
- Jefferson City, MO $237,147
- North Port, FL $236,142
- Joplin, MO $235,446
All 315 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Port, FL | $241,850 | 450 | $236,142 | 10% |
| Memphis, TN | $238,040 | 280 | $258,237 | 7% |
| Columbia, SC | $228,820 | 480 | $244,304 | 8% |
| Anchorage, AK | $228,030 | 180 | $216,306 | 10% |
| Evansville, IN | $225,620 | 70 | $246,504 | 6% |
| Bend, OR | $224,990 | 120 | $217,157 | 12% |
| Atlanta, GA | $222,690 | 1,710 | $222,561 | 10% |
| Hanford, CA | $222,430 | 60 | $218,901 | 10% |
| Portland, ME | $221,190 | 150 | $217,155 | 12% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $219,980 | 1,760 | $209,861 | 9% |
| Richmond, VA | $218,880 | 650 | $223,671 | 9% |
| El Centro, CA | $217,830 | 40 | $228,876 | 10% |
| Trenton, NJ | $216,750 | 170 | $210,070 | 14% |
| Nashville, TN | $215,290 | 1,170 | $223,474 | 10% |
| Visalia, CA | $214,950 | 170 | $215,327 | 10% |
| Rockford, IL | $214,670 | 130 | $232,947 | 7% |
| Springfield, MO | $214,100 | 250 | $241,689 | 7% |
| Corvallis, OR | $214,060 | 40 | $205,793 | 10% |
| Grants Pass, OR | $213,240 | 30 | $218,126 | 9% |
| Canton, OH | $212,640 | 90 | $237,836 | 6% |
| Salem, OR | $212,310 | 140 | $204,836 | 9% |
| Orlando, FL | $212,300 | 1,320 | $209,332 | 11% |
| Eugene, OR | $212,240 | 140 | $208,963 | 10% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $212,000 | 50 | $206,944 | 12% |
| Rochester, MN | $211,190 | 110 | $232,534 | 9% |
| Burlington, VT | $210,940 | 90 | $208,957 | 15% |
| St. Louis, MO | $210,430 | 1,250 | $221,300 | 8% |
| Gainesville, GA | $210,400 | 60 | $217,432 | 10% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $209,750 | 80 | $226,033 | 7% |
| Racine, WI | $209,550 | 60 | $218,370 | 8% |
| Portland, OR | $209,440 | 990 | $198,670 | 10% |
| Springfield, IL | $209,430 | 120 | $225,813 | 7% |
| Des Moines, IA | $209,300 | 360 | $228,242 | 7% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $208,630 | 50 | $237,147 | 6% |
| Durham, NC | $208,490 | 200 | $213,678 | 9% |
| Janesville, WI | $208,000 | 50 | $221,978 | 7% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $208,000 | 70 | $237,356 | 7% |
| San Jose, CA | $207,910 | 1,130 | $188,285 | 22% |
| Columbia, MO | $207,450 | 60 | $231,948 | 8% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $207,450 | 50 | $240,154 | 6% |
| Raleigh, NC | $207,380 | 1,000 | $211,274 | 10% |
| Kenosha, WI | $207,140 | 60 | $204,850 | – |
| Mobile, AL | $207,010 | 100 | $234,977 | 7% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $207,000 | 80 | $229,459 | 9% |
| Mankato, MN | $207,000 | 60 | $227,585 | 7% |
| Morgantown, WV | $207,000 | 50 | $221,810 | 8% |
| Appleton, WI | $206,650 | 130 | $223,601 | 7% |
| Medford, OR | $206,260 | 80 | $203,346 | 11% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $206,100 | 380 | $216,106 | 9% |
| Toledo, OH | $205,920 | 180 | $225,160 | 7% |
| Spokane, WA | $205,790 | 280 | $205,080 | 9% |
| Lakeland, FL | $205,300 | 210 | $211,342 | 11% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $205,000 | 70 | $220,599 | 7% |
| Longview, WA | $204,950 | 40 | $210,108 | 8% |
| Bangor, ME | $204,780 | 50 | $212,190 | 9% |
| Williamsport, PA | $204,660 | 40 | $221,613 | 6% |
| Lincoln, NE | $204,530 | 160 | $223,332 | 8% |
| Albany, OR | $204,310 | 50 | $200,108 | 10% |
| Ocala, FL | $203,980 | 100 | $214,188 | 9% |
| Billings, MT | $203,330 | 50 | $217,405 | 8% |
| Kennewick, WA | $203,250 | 100 | $203,090 | 10% |
| Macon, GA | $203,070 | 40 | $229,385 | 7% |
| Dalton, GA | $202,690 | 40 | $225,602 | 8% |
| Asheville, NC | $202,630 | 140 | $209,966 | 10% |
| Wausau, WI | $202,250 | 70 | $218,292 | 6% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $202,240 | 50 | $201,750 | – |
| Worcester, MA | $202,110 | 320 | $197,136 | 12% |
| San Francisco, CA | $202,060 | 2,090 | $174,773 | 20% |
| Joplin, MO | $201,820 | 50 | $235,446 | 7% |
| La Crosse, WI | $201,810 | 80 | $219,911 | 8% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $201,730 | 50 | $215,089 | 9% |
| Barnstable, MA | $200,470 | 90 | $203,831 | 15% |
| Duluth, MN | $200,210 | 90 | $225,543 | 8% |
| Yakima, WA | $200,130 | 90 | $209,462 | 8% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $199,990 | 230 | $199,980 | 11% |
| Green Bay, WI | $199,520 | 130 | $214,339 | 7% |
| Iowa City, IA | $199,410 | 50 | $217,913 | 11% |
| Beckley, WV | $199,360 | 40 | $225,599 | 6% |
| Fargo, ND | $198,570 | 110 | $218,519 | 7% |
| Springfield, MA | $198,250 | 160 | $206,379 | 12% |
| New Orleans, LA | $198,050 | 270 | $213,884 | 10% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $196,740 | 290 | $217,613 | 8% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $196,490 | 60 | $199,980 | 11% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $196,470 | 110 | $213,605 | 9% |
| Columbus, GA | $196,310 | 60 | $219,842 | 8% |
| Farmington, NM | $195,760 | 50 | $223,198 | 9% |
| Scranton, PA | $195,480 | 170 | $208,944 | 8% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $194,180 | 2,700 | $187,948 | 11% |
| Albany, NY | $193,780 | 320 | $194,625 | 10% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $193,760 | 130 | $196,412 | 9% |
| Hickory, NC | $193,320 | 130 | $218,475 | 10% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $193,210 | 30 | $218,410 | 9% |
| Syracuse, NY | $191,830 | 190 | $200,361 | 10% |
| Sioux City, IA | $191,280 | 60 | $221,251 | 8% |
| Muncie, IN | $190,750 | 40 | $216,397 | 7% |
| New York, NY | $190,010 | 7,240 | $168,803 | 22% |
| Charlotte, NC | $189,220 | 1,140 | $194,375 | 11% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $188,850 | 50 | $205,082 | 10% |
| Fresno, CA | $188,510 | 340 | $184,528 | 13% |
| Austin, TX | $188,190 | 820 | $191,901 | 10% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $187,770 | 90 | $197,986 | 8% |
| Omaha, NE | $187,400 | 440 | $203,893 | 9% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $186,300 | 70 | $198,162 | 9% |
| Wilmington, NC | $185,720 | 220 | $192,612 | 11% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $185,430 | 430 | $204,263 | 9% |
| Salinas, CA | $185,040 | 170 | $169,696 | 18% |
| Washington, DC | $184,540 | 3,040 | $169,483 | 16% |
| Gainesville, FL | $184,220 | 140 | $190,442 | 11% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $183,590 | 120 | $198,321 | 8% |
| Vallejo, CA | $183,000 | 140 | $168,696 | 16% |
| Johnson City, TN | $182,660 | 50 | $207,738 | 10% |
| Tucson, AZ | $182,200 | 330 | $188,037 | 10% |
| Dayton, OH | $181,990 | 180 | $196,334 | 9% |
| Jackson, MI | $181,800 | 40 | $198,085 | 8% |
| Boston, MA | $181,150 | 1,920 | $167,319 | 20% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $181,140 | 130 | $199,865 | 8% |
| Slidell, LA | $181,080 | 120 | $195,285 | – |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $180,630 | 90 | $194,915 | 9% |
| Boulder, CO | $180,440 | 140 | $171,518 | 15% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $180,440 | 740 | $168,850 | 19% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $180,210 | – | $178,200 | 13% |
| Dallas, TX | $179,990 | 2,890 | $174,595 | 11% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $179,940 | 410 | $196,972 | 10% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $178,970 | 190 | $174,862 | 12% |
| Buffalo, NY | $178,260 | 270 | $185,990 | 10% |
| Oxnard, CA | $178,150 | 310 | $161,172 | 20% |
| Manchester, NH | $177,970 | 190 | $168,441 | 15% |
| Flint, MI | $177,720 | 170 | $191,027 | 7% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $177,400 | 720 | $181,129 | 13% |
| Albany, GA | $176,760 | 30 | $201,622 | 7% |
| Madison, WI | $176,460 | 270 | $181,381 | 12% |
| Binghamton, NY | $176,190 | 90 | $189,731 | 11% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $175,950 | 90 | $160,106 | 24% |
| Yuba City, CA | $175,850 | 40 | $168,709 | 14% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $175,420 | 130 | $197,183 | 8% |
| Greenville, NC | $174,990 | 50 | $197,948 | 10% |
| Sebastian, FL | $174,910 | 70 | $177,920 | 15% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $174,870 | 190 | $173,345 | 13% |
| Waterbury, CT | $174,370 | 170 | $174,758 | – |
| Kokomo, IN | $174,240 | 40 | $194,360 | 8% |
| Champaign, IL | $174,010 | 80 | $187,705 | 10% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $173,990 | 50 | $182,943 | 12% |
| Kingsport, TN | $173,810 | 90 | $201,060 | 9% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $173,160 | 490 | $181,232 | 11% |
| South Bend, IN | $173,140 | 100 | $186,457 | 9% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $173,080 | 30 | $179,374 | 11% |
| Missoula, MT | $172,690 | 50 | $179,055 | 11% |
| Pueblo, CO | $172,680 | 70 | $188,182 | 9% |
| Springfield, OH | $172,680 | 30 | $190,845 | 8% |
| Providence, RI | $172,310 | 580 | $169,308 | 15% |
| Little Rock, AR | $172,250 | 240 | $192,751 | 9% |
| Miami, FL | $172,210 | 3,270 | $150,856 | 18% |
| Panama City, FL | $172,180 | 60 | $176,965 | 12% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $172,120 | 220 | $170,608 | 13% |
| Baltimore, MD | $172,110 | 880 | $164,719 | 14% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $171,990 | 50 | $165,606 | 12% |
| Lafayette, LA | $171,860 | 190 | $197,067 | 10% |
| Traverse City, MI | $171,740 | 80 | $183,931 | 13% |
| Kansas City, MO | $171,690 | 1,070 | $185,525 | 11% |
| Bremerton, WA | $171,320 | 110 | $162,224 | 14% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $171,220 | 70 | $170,326 | 13% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $170,960 | 70 | $169,671 | 14% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $170,940 | 140 | $157,117 | 23% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $170,760 | 100 | $172,734 | 14% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $170,690 | 30 | $170,137 | 15% |
| Longview, TX | $170,660 | 80 | $190,714 | 8% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $170,630 | 100 | $157,124 | 20% |
| Sacramento, CA | $170,500 | 970 | $159,839 | 16% |
| Merced, CA | $170,200 | 40 | $173,187 | 15% |
| The Villages, FL | $170,180 | 50 | $199,218 | 12% |
| Redding, CA | $170,060 | 60 | $168,905 | 12% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $169,850 | 60 | $197,785 | 9% |
| Vineland, NJ | $169,280 | 40 | $176,392 | 12% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $169,160 | 230 | $156,944 | 19% |
| Utica, NY | $169,070 | 60 | $182,427 | 10% |
| Youngstown, OH | $168,820 | 40 | $193,171 | 7% |
| Peoria, IL | $168,780 | 110 | $185,003 | 8% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $168,700 | 230 | $183,284 | 11% |
| Denver, CO | $168,620 | 1,980 | $159,403 | 14% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $168,450 | 80 | $178,877 | 11% |
| State College, PA | $168,340 | 60 | $173,973 | 14% |
| Huntington, WV | $168,210 | 70 | $190,235 | 8% |
| Davenport, IA | $168,170 | 140 | $188,787 | 7% |
| Stockton, CA | $168,150 | 200 | $160,007 | 17% |
| Honolulu, HI | $168,090 | 650 | $151,486 | 22% |
| Bellingham, WA | $168,030 | 90 | $162,609 | 14% |
| Elkhart, IN | $168,030 | 60 | $186,028 | 8% |
| Detroit, MI | $167,860 | 1,700 | $167,361 | 11% |
| Midland, MI | $167,770 | 40 | $182,515 | 10% |
| Rochester, NY | $167,480 | 430 | $172,598 | 11% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $167,440 | 80 | $187,371 | 9% |
| Norwich, CT | $167,160 | 130 | $166,419 | 15% |
| Modesto, CA | $167,050 | 160 | $160,458 | 15% |
| Deltona, FL | $166,880 | 260 | $167,943 | 13% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $166,800 | 110 | $177,600 | 11% |
| Athens, GA | $166,440 | 40 | $178,310 | 13% |
| Burlington, NC | $166,330 | 60 | $178,473 | 10% |
| Columbus, OH | $166,180 | 780 | $174,067 | 11% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $166,120 | 1,020 | $173,591 | 11% |
| Niles, MI | $165,950 | 40 | $179,658 | 10% |
| Saginaw, MI | $165,410 | 40 | $181,987 | 8% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $165,350 | 640 | $166,208 | 12% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $165,300 | 280 | $151,067 | 16% |
| Tulsa, OK | $165,280 | 390 | $185,262 | 10% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $165,060 | 100 | $192,181 | 8% |
| Reno, NV | $165,030 | 230 | $163,373 | 15% |
| Pensacola, FL | $164,990 | 170 | $168,845 | 13% |
| Yuma, AZ | $164,680 | 60 | $177,637 | 10% |
| Topeka, KS | $164,670 | 70 | $185,397 | 9% |
| Lansing, MI | $164,610 | 100 | $173,290 | 9% |
| Clarksville, TN | $163,980 | 40 | $180,303 | 10% |
| Mansfield, OH | $163,980 | 40 | $184,513 | 7% |
| Ames, IA | $163,950 | 40 | $184,566 | 9% |
| Greensboro, NC | $163,910 | 190 | $176,504 | 10% |
| Crestview, FL | $163,700 | 90 | $168,709 | 14% |
| Waterloo, IA | $163,600 | 60 | $187,923 | 8% |
| Chico, CA | $163,520 | 50 | $161,586 | 11% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $163,520 | 30 | $174,949 | 13% |
| Akron, OH | $163,480 | 250 | $175,088 | 10% |
| Bloomington, IN | $163,400 | 40 | $171,848 | 13% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $163,390 | 2,570 | $159,321 | 14% |
| Great Falls, MT | $162,810 | 40 | $168,114 | 11% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $162,780 | 30 | $171,589 | 11% |
| Kingston, NY | $162,780 | 50 | $161,634 | 15% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $162,400 | 130 | $163,799 | 15% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $162,200 | 780 | $161,852 | 13% |
| San Antonio, TX | $162,140 | 690 | $171,185 | 10% |
| Monroe, LA | $161,930 | 80 | $193,703 | 9% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $161,820 | 60 | $188,755 | 9% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $161,810 | 40 | $183,850 | 9% |
| Seattle, WA | $161,270 | 1,920 | $145,114 | 17% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $161,200 | 60 | $168,838 | 13% |
| Dubuque, IA | $161,140 | 60 | $184,523 | 8% |
| Bloomington, IL | $160,750 | 60 | $171,857 | 10% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $160,720 | 40 | $169,819 | 10% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $160,620 | 190 | $175,610 | 11% |
| Kahului, HI | $159,620 | 80 | $145,914 | 24% |
| Tampa, FL | $159,270 | 1,290 | $157,865 | 15% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $159,220 | 70 | $167,791 | 13% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $158,830 | 280 | $157,715 | 13% |
| Staunton, VA | $158,820 | 40 | $174,282 | 11% |
| San Diego, CA | $158,160 | 1,710 | $141,357 | 23% |
| Rapid City, SD | $158,140 | 90 | $177,367 | 11% |
| Knoxville, TN | $157,900 | 220 | $170,575 | 13% |
| Beaumont, TX | $157,770 | 70 | $175,210 | 10% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $156,210 | 30 | $177,922 | 8% |
| Chicago, IL | $156,100 | 5,910 | $150,683 | 17% |
| Abilene, TX | $156,040 | 50 | $172,679 | 15% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $155,940 | 830 | $160,867 | 12% |
| Allentown, PA | $155,750 | 320 | $155,800 | 14% |
| Ogden, UT | $155,250 | 170 | $154,710 | 13% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $155,250 | 1,050 | $163,989 | 11% |
| Amarillo, TX | $154,960 | 100 | $168,765 | 10% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $154,960 | 60 | $156,895 | 15% |
| Greeley, CO | $154,940 | 90 | $154,668 | 13% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $154,850 | 180 | $154,498 | 18% |
| Cleveland, OH | $154,800 | 470 | $164,816 | 11% |
| College Station, TX | $154,340 | 70 | $169,696 | 12% |
| Florence, AL | $153,870 | 50 | $181,414 | 8% |
| Odessa, TX | $153,860 | 40 | $163,862 | 12% |
| Augusta, GA | $153,510 | 160 | $167,035 | 11% |
| Charleston, WV | $152,980 | 70 | $172,436 | 9% |
| Reading, PA | $151,850 | 120 | $156,450 | 12% |
| Louisville, KY | $151,420 | 230 | $162,688 | 11% |
| El Paso, TX | $150,940 | 160 | $167,875 | 12% |
| York, PA | $150,290 | 80 | $156,552 | 11% |
| Jackson, MS | $149,990 | 170 | $168,437 | 12% |
| Laredo, TX | $149,820 | 50 | $172,294 | 9% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $149,700 | 40 | $152,300 | 15% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $148,800 | 40 | $166,233 | 11% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $148,460 | 40 | $163,970 | 9% |
| Killeen, TX | $147,360 | 120 | $161,700 | 11% |
| Waco, TX | $145,630 | 100 | $157,353 | 12% |
| Shreveport, LA | $145,030 | 120 | $171,095 | 11% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $144,640 | 50 | $147,566 | 16% |
| Lancaster, PA | $141,960 | 170 | $144,478 | 13% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $141,580 | 460 | $148,180 | 13% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $140,360 | 100 | $154,155 | 13% |
| Houma, LA | $140,330 | 40 | $164,894 | 11% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $139,990 | 6,300 | $123,268 | 25% |
| Greenville, SC | $139,940 | 540 | $150,054 | 13% |
| Erie, PA | $137,530 | 80 | $151,215 | 10% |
| Kankakee, IL | $137,390 | 40 | $142,530 | 12% |
| Florence, SC | $137,260 | 60 | $158,181 | 13% |
| Salisbury, MD | $136,010 | 30 | $142,245 | 17% |
| Gulfport, MS | $135,390 | 120 | $150,423 | 13% |
| Brownsville, TX | $134,550 | 80 | $156,499 | 13% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $134,550 | 40 | $146,079 | 14% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $134,420 | 130 | $143,547 | 15% |
| McAllen, TX | $134,160 | 150 | $156,191 | 10% |
| Logan, UT | $132,700 | 40 | $138,334 | 13% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $132,390 | 70 | $151,073 | 12% |
| St. George, UT | $131,700 | 60 | $135,325 | 17% |
| Naples, FL | $130,560 | 170 | $126,512 | 24% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $130,510 | 510 | $129,387 | 15% |
| Victoria, TX | $129,430 | 30 | $144,069 | 11% |
| New Haven, CT | $129,380 | 290 | $123,739 | 19% |
| Provo, UT | $129,250 | 150 | $131,576 | 16% |
| Casper, WY | $129,030 | 40 | $137,516 | 13% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $128,140 | 40 | $138,216 | 16% |
| Johnstown, PA | $127,110 | 40 | $147,924 | 8% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $126,020 | 80 | $133,479 | 14% |
| Tyler, TX | $125,990 | 100 | $136,714 | 13% |
| Hartford, CT | $125,330 | 580 | $121,980 | 19% |
| Riverside, CA | $125,230 | 1,560 | $117,651 | 24% |
| Olympia, WA | $123,460 | 130 | $119,089 | 20% |
| Muskegon, MI | $123,240 | 60 | $133,205 | 13% |
| Cleveland, TN | $122,910 | 40 | $139,544 | 14% |
| Charleston, SC | $121,090 | 410 | $119,936 | 20% |
| Boise, ID | $119,550 | 270 | $121,505 | 19% |
| Altoona, PA | $117,110 | 30 | $130,839 | 10% |
| Pocatello, ID | $115,870 | 50 | $130,329 | 11% |
| Lexington, KY | $114,990 | 160 | $123,793 | 17% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $114,470 | 90 | $133,334 | 14% |
| Houston, TX | $98,570 | 1,660 | $99,940 | 20% |
What the median dentist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $170,950 |
| Month | $14,246 |
| Every two weeks | $6,575 |
| Week | $3,288 |
| Hour | $82.19 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a dentist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +5.7% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 4,200 |
| Self-employed | 12.4% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
| Vet tech | $47,380 | Associate's degree |
| Speech-language pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| Medical lab tech | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree |
| MRI tech | $95,480 | Associate's degree |
| CRNA | $236,590 | Master's degree |
Questions about dentist pay
How much does a dentist make an hour?
The median is $82.19 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $41.47 and the top 10% over $153.67.
How much does a dentist make a month?
About $14,246 a month before taxes at the median salary of $170,950, or $6,575 every two weeks.
What state pays dentists the most?
Alaska, with a median of $230,990. North Dakota ($220,660), Minnesota ($219,200), Tennessee ($215,290) and Oregon ($211,690) follow.
Where do dentists make the most after cost of living?
North Dakota: its median of $220,660 is worth $248,047 at typical US prices. Tennessee, Missouri and Alaska come next.
How much do entry-level dentists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of dentists earn under $86,250 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $125,710, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a dentist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a doctoral or professional degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-1021 (Dentists, General). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.