PathScorer

    Dentist Salary in 2026

    SOC: 29-1029.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $225,770
    per year
    Salary Range
    $75K – $239K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    5,900
    employed
    Job Growth
    +0.3%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Dentists Make?

    Dentists earn a median annual salary of $225,770 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $75,360 at the 10th percentile to $239,200 at the 90th percentile — a range of $163,840. The highest-paying state is Kansas at $239,200.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$75,360
    25th percentile$172,780
    Median (50th)$225,770
    75th percentile$239,200
    90th percentile$239,200
    10th: $75,360Median: $225,77090th: $239,200
    Section 02

    Dentist Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    Kansastop$239,200
    Louisiana$239,200
    Arizona$239,200
    South Carolina$239,200
    Massachusetts$235,410
    Montana$235,410
    West Virginia$231,860
    Wisconsin$231,070
    Alabama$229,820
    Texas$227,570
    Ohio$224,290
    Connecticut$223,620
    Illinois$222,960
    Oklahoma$222,150
    Virginia$219,460
    Missouri$217,400
    North Carolina$213,380
    Pennsylvania$212,470
    New Mexico$210,370
    New Jersey$202,110
    Maryland$199,990
    Georgia$194,210
    Arkansas$175,720
    Minnesota$129,990
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Dentists

    Arizona
    Highest paying
    $239,200
    top metro salary
    Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
    $239,200
    $0 vs highest
    Ohio
    $224,290
    $-14,910 vs highest
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
    $202,290
    $-36,910 vs highest
    Maryland
    $199,990
    $-39,210 vs highest
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
    $199,990
    $-39,210 vs highest
    Minnesota
    $129,990
    $-109,210 vs highest
    Section 04

    Dentist Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$75,360 – $172,780
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$225,770
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$239,200
    Senior (15+ yrs)$239,200+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as a Dentist

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Dentists in Arizona earn $239,200 — $13,430 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($239,200) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Career Guide
    Learn how to become a Dentist →
    AI Automation Risk
    Dentist AI exposure analysis →

    SOC: 29-1029.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.