How much does a dentist make?
The median dentist in the United States earns $225,770 per year, about $108.54 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all dentists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 29-1029.
Dentist salary range
Pay for dentists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $75,360 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $239,200+. The average (mean) wage of $246,530 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $75,360 | $36.23 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $172,780 | $83.07 | |
| Median (50th) | $225,770 | $108.54 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | |
| 90th percentile | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for dentists, all other specialists (SOC 29-1029), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Dentist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Dentists earn the most in Arizona at $239,200+ a year, and the least in Minnesota at $129,990. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $239,200+ | 180 |
| Kansas | $239,200+ | N/A |
| Louisiana | $239,200+ | 30 |
| South Carolina | $239,200+ | 60 |
| Massachusetts | $235,410 | N/A |
| Montana | $235,410 | 40 |
| West Virginia | $231,860 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $231,070 | 50 |
| Alabama | $229,820 | 30 |
| Texas | $227,570 | N/A |
| Ohio | $224,290 | 170 |
| Connecticut | $223,620 | 40 |
| Illinois | $222,960 | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $222,150 | 70 |
| Virginia | $219,460 | 70 |
| Missouri | $217,400 | 30 |
| North Carolina | $213,380 | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $212,470 | 70 |
| New Mexico | $210,370 | 50 |
| New Jersey | $202,110 | N/A |
| Maryland | $199,990 | 160 |
| Georgia | $194,210 | 80 |
| Arkansas | $175,720 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $129,990 | 330 |
State median wages for dentists, all other specialists (SOC 29-1029), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for dentists
The BLS projects employment of dentists to grow 1.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 5,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 5,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 100 openings a year for dentists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a dentist
The typical entry-level education for dentists is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a dentist earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Arizona, $239,200+) and the lowest (Minnesota, $129,990) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 5,900 people work as dentists in the United States. At $225,770 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Dentist salary FAQ
How much does a dentist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a dentist is $108.54. The middle half of dentists earn between $83.07 and $115.00+ per hour.
What is the highest dentist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of dentists earn more than $239,200+ per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a dentist make a year?
The median annual salary for a dentist is $225,770. The average (mean) wage of $246,530 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a dentist a well paid job?
At $225,770 a year, a dentist earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 5,900 people work as dentists in the United States.
Which state pays dentists the most?
Arizona has the highest median salary for dentists at $239,200+ a year. Kansas ($239,200+) and Louisiana ($239,200+) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a dentist a good career?
Employment of dentists is projected to grow 1.3% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a dentist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for dentists as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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