As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a DDS in the United States is $195,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $94.
However, a DDS's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
DDS Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $223,900 | $18,658 | $4,306 | $108 |
| Average | $195,700 | $16,308 | $3,763 | $94 |
| 25th Percentile | $187,100 | $15,592 | $3,598 | $90 |
A DDS's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a DDS's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level DDS | $192,234 |
| Intermediate Level DDS | $192,876 |
| Senior Level DDS | $193,518 |
| Specialist Level DDS | $194,416 |
| Expert Level DDS | $197,804 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 6.53% |
| Clinical Skills | 3% |
| HIPAA | 1.98% |
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a DDS's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Prescriptions | $215,270 | |
| Coaching | $209,399 | |
| Insight | $209,399 |
DDS salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $220,016. While startup companies pay approximate $186,810.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $186,810 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $197,381 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $212,629 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $220,016 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many DDS enter the field with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a DDS with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $192,133 and $204,843).
| Typical Education for DDS | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 1.7% |
| High School | 4.3% |
| Associates | 8.4% |
| Bachelors | 10.8% |
| Masters | 10.1% |
| Doctorate | 64.7% |
Understanding how a DDS's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $223,900 | $18,658 | $4,306 | $108 |
| Average | $195,700 | $16,308 | $3,763 | $94 |
| 25th Percentile | $187,100 | $15,592 | $3,598 | $90 |
Salaries for a DDS can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $112,260 in 2023 to around $111,827 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of DDS salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $112,260 |
| 2024 | $113,619 |
| 2025 | $111,827 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for DDS roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.
The three-year, full-time postgraduate Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) is the highest degree in dentistry awarded in India. Holders of this degree often work as consultants in specialties such as Prosthodontics, Periodontics, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Salaries for MDS graduates typically range from a minimum of $175,800 to a maximum of $221,500, with a mid-salary of $196,700.
Dentists typically earn between $175,800 and $221,500 annually based on current salary data. While some experienced dentists may reach earnings close to $300K, this is not the standard range for most practitioners. The average salary falls around $196,700, reflecting the typical compensation for dentists in the field.
The highest paid dentists typically include dental anesthesiologists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons, with salaries ranging from $290,000 to $400,000 annually. In comparison, the average salary for a general dentist is between $175,800 and $221,500, with a mid-salary of $196,700.
The path to becoming a DDS can be challenging, involving rigorous academic requirements and demanding practical training. However, the effort can be rewarding, with salaries ranging from $175,800 to $221,500, reflecting the high level of expertise and commitment required in this profession. Lifelong learning is essential to stay current in the field.
The highest paid department in dentistry is typically Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, with senior-level salaries ranging from INR 15 LPA to 30 LPA. In comparison, the salary data for DDS indicates a minimum salary of $175,800, a mid-salary of $196,700, and a maximum salary of $221,500, reflecting the lucrative nature of this specialization.
The three-year, full-time postgraduate Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) is the highest degree in dentistry awarded in India. Holders of this degree often work as consultants in specialties such as Prosthodontics, Periodontics, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Salaries for these professionals typically range from $175,800 to $221,500, with a median of $196,700.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers: