Home Salary Guide Dentist

Healthcare

Dentist Salary

Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients' teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth, performing extractions, fillings, crowns, and preventive care.

Median: $159,530 Growth: 4% BLS Data

Dentist Salary Range

Entry Level

$100,000

0-2 years

Mid Career

$160,000

5-10 years

Senior Level

$200,000

10+ years

Salary Percentiles

10th Percentile $79,060

25th Percentile $113,820

Median (50th) $159,530

75th Percentile $208,000

90th Percentile $208,000

Top Paying States for Dentists

1 Delaware

$210,000

2 Alaska

$200,000

3 New Hampshire

$195,000

4 Rhode Island

$190,000

5 Minnesota

$188,000

Job Outlook & Education

Growth Rate

+4%

Stable

Education

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)

How Much Do Dentists Make?

The median annual salary for a dentist in the United States is $159,530 as of 2026. This means half of dentists earn more than this amount, and half earn less.

Salary by Experience Level

Entry Level (0-2 years): $100,000
Mid Career (5-10 years): $160,000
Senior Level (10+ years): $200,000

Calculate Your Take-Home

See exactly how much you'll take home after taxes with our income calculator.

Calculate $159,530 Salary

Hourly Equivalent

Based on 2,080 work hours/year

$76/hr

See $76/hr Breakdown

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What Can a Dentist Afford?

Based on median salary of $159,530

Max Rent $3,999/mo

Max Car Payment $1,599/mo

Monthly Savings $1,863/mo

See Full Budget Breakdown

Useful Tools

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Related Careers

Dental Hygienist

Physician Assistant

$126,010 median

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