How much does a DDS make in the United States?

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:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $249,575
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $187,100 to $223,900
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $179,270

Key Factors That Influence DDS Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects DDS Salaries?

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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $192,234
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $192,876
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $193,518
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $194,416
  • Expert (over 8 years): $197,804
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

Top Paying Cities for DDS

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $246,800
  • San Francisco: $244,100
  • Oakland: $239,000

What Skills Can Increase a DDS's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.53% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Clinical Skills (Mentioned in 3% Job Postings): The term 'clinical skills' involves history-taking, physical examination, clinical investigations, using diagnostic reasoning, procedural perfection, effective communication, team work and professionalism.
  • HIPAA (Mentioned in 1.98% Job Postings): The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.53%
Clinical Skills 3%
HIPAA 1.98%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

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.

  • Medical Prescriptions: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Medical Prescriptions $215,270
10%
Coaching $209,399
7%
Insight $209,399
7%

DDS Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

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.

DDS Salary by Company Size

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

DDS Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For DDS roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, DDS positions in Pharmaceuticals or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view DDS as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a DDS

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$293,550$141.050%
Biotechnology$234,840$113.020%

How Education impacts a DDS's Salary?

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).

DDS Salaries by Degree Level

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%

DDS Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$187,100
Average $195,700/year
$223,900
$15,592
Average $16,308/month
$18,658
$3,598
Average $3,763/week
$4,306
$90
Average $94/hour
$108
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

Most common benefits for DDS

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for DDS

Here are companies hiring for DDS and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about DDS

1. What industry pays the highest salary for DDS?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for DDS roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

2. What is the highest degree in dentistry?

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.

3. Do dentists make 300K?

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.

4. Who is the highest paid dentist?

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.

5. Is it hard to become a DDS?

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.

6. What is the highest paid department in dentistry?

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.

7. What is the highest degree in dentistry?

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.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

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