Dentists, General Salary in 2026
How Much Do Dentists, Generals Make?
Dentists, Generals earn a median annual salary of $172,790 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $83,860 at the 10th percentile to $239,200 at the 90th percentile — a range of $155,340. The highest-paying state is Vermont at $230,990.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $83,860 |
| 25th percentile | $126,090 |
| Median (50th) | $172,790 |
| 75th percentile | $220,380 |
| 90th percentile | $239,200 |
Dentists, General Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Vermonttop | $230,990 |
| Alaska | $230,830 |
| Delaware | $224,690 |
| Minnesota | $209,820 |
| Maine | $208,860 |
| Arizona | $206,660 |
| Wisconsin | $206,650 |
| North Dakota | $201,280 |
| Washington | $197,950 |
| Georgia | $195,820 |
| Connecticut | $193,230 |
| North Carolina | $191,280 |
| Maryland | $189,330 |
| Oregon | $185,790 |
| Virginia | $182,570 |
| Illinois | $180,420 |
| Louisiana | $179,600 |
| California | $178,540 |
| Michigan | $177,080 |
| Indiana | $176,990 |
| Iowa | $174,990 |
| Arkansas | $172,490 |
| New Mexico | $171,730 |
| Kansas | $170,090 |
| Pennsylvania | $168,740 |
| Nebraska | $168,110 |
| Idaho | $166,560 |
| New York | $164,060 |
| Florida | $162,870 |
| South Dakota | $162,860 |
| New Hampshire | $162,040 |
| Oklahoma | $161,780 |
| New Jersey | $159,860 |
| Montana | $159,480 |
| South Carolina | $158,460 |
| Texas | $157,370 |
| Ohio | $155,570 |
| Tennessee | $154,460 |
| West Virginia | $147,440 |
| Hawaii | $139,990 |
| Colorado | $136,260 |
| Kentucky | $135,550 |
| Utah | $132,270 |
| Mississippi | $128,570 |
| Wyoming | $126,860 |
| Nevada | $125,180 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Dentists, Generals
Dentists, General 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 level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$83,860 – $126,090 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$172,790 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$220,380 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $239,200+ |
How to Earn More as a Dentists, General
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Dentists, Generals in Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area earn $239,200 — $66,410 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($220,380) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Dentists, General Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Dentists, Generalthis career | $172,790 |
| Chiropractor | $79,000 |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | $239,200 |
| Orthodontist | $239,200 |
| Prosthodontist | $239,200 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Dentists, General requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 29-1021.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.