Dentist Salaries in the U.S. by State

Dentist Salaries in the U.S.

A person who wants to become a dentist would have to study for eight years: four years for a bachelor’s degree and another four years to earn a DMD or DDS in dental school. It goes without saying that the road to being a dentist doesn’t come cheap.

However, a career in dentistry is a smart choice. Among all career options, it occupies the 9th spot in the “100 Best Jobs” by the 2021 U.S. News & World report.¹ Three dental specialties (orthodontist, prosthodontist, and oral and maxillofacial surgeon) ranked in the top 35.¹ 

In 2020, dentists made a median salary of $158,940. The highest-paid 10% earned at least $208,000 in the same year, while the lowest-paid 10% earned $79,060.³

Between 2019 and 2029, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 3% employment growth for dentists.² Within this 10-year period, it is projected that approximately 4,000 jobs for dentists will open up.²

Salaries by Dental Speciality

The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes several dental specialties within the dental profession.⁴ Dental professionals have the option to specialize in these different areas, providing treatment and management for different oral health problems.

These dental specialties require different amounts of training and education, which can lead to differences in salaries. 

Here are some of the dental specialties recognized by the ADA and their respective average annual salaries:^{4,5,6,7,8,9,10}

Related Job Salaries

There are several positions to pursue in the dental industry. While some jobs require years of extensive education and training, others do not. 

Several dental careers offer fulfilling opportunities to provide care for patients’ oral health without having the patients open their mouths.

Dental front office managers and receptionists all work to keep the dental office running efficiently. 

Dental sales representatives provide tools, equipment, and supplies needed by the dentist so they can do their work. 

Dental laboratory technicians work with the dentist to plan, design, and make dental prostheses for the patient.

Here are some dental-related jobs and their respective average annual salaries:^11,12,13,14

10 Best Paying Cities for Dentists

Several factors affect dentist salary. Experience, industry, specialization, education, and employer are huge factors that determine how much a dentist makes.

Additionally, location is very important. Depending on the city or state, dentist salaries differ.

Here are the top 10 best-paying cities for dentists, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:¹⁰

Dentist Salaries by State

Below is a table with the average annual dentist salary in every state:¹⁰

Popular Dentist Employers

How much a dentist earns partly depends on the employer. While all employers are required by law to follow federal, state, and local wage rates, some employers pay higher than others. 

The following are popular dentist employers with the average annual salary they pay their employees:¹⁵

Self-Employed dentists have an average annual salary of $239,447, which is noticeably higher compared to dentists working with an exclusive employer.¹⁵