As of May 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Dentist in the United States is $94, which translates to an annual salary of about $195,518.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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A Dentist'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 Dentist'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 Dentist | $191,871 |
| Intermediate Level Dentist | $192,546 |
| Senior Level Dentist | $193,221 |
| Specialist Level Dentist | $194,167 |
| Expert Level Dentist | $197,620 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Dentists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 6.53% |
| Clinical Skills | 3% |
| HIPAA | 1.98% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Medical Prescriptions
|
$215,070 |
10%
|
|
Coaching
|
$209,204 |
7%
|
|
Insight
|
$209,204 |
7%
|
|
Pediatric
|
$205,294 |
5%
|
|
Leadership
|
$203,339 |
4%
|
|
Support Services
|
$201,384 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Dentists 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 Dentist with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $190,456 and $203,180).
Dentist Salaries by Degree Level
| 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 Dentist'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 May 01, 2026Salaries for a Dentist 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 Dentist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $112,260 |
| 2024 | $113,619 |
| 2025 | $111,827 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Dentist and their salaries, click below for more details.
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Examines and treats diseases and injuries of teeth and gums. Performs preventative and maintenance dentistry and educates the patient in proper tooth and gum care. Recommends braces or surgery to correct any malformations. Requires a doctorate degree in dentistry, either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from an accredited school. Requires a state licensed to practice. Typically reports to a top management. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Leadership: Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
Clinical Skills: The term 'clinical skills' involves history-taking, physical examination, clinical investigations, using diagnostic reasoning, procedural perfection, effective communication, team work and professionalism.
HIPAA: 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.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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