Dentist DDS DMD Salary in the United States

How much does a Dentist DDS DMD make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Dentist DDS DMD in the United States is $200,222 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $96.

However, a Dentist DDS DMD's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $257,228
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $190,649 to $230,061
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $181,933
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View as table View as graph 25% $190,649 10% $181,933 90% $257,228 75% $230,061 $200,222 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Dentist DDS DMD Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $230,061 $19,172 $4,424 $111
Average $200,222 $16,685 $3,850 $96
25th Percentile $190,649 $15,887 $3,666 $92
Check out Dentist DDS DMD Job Openings in the United States
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Dentist DDS DMD

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Expanded Functions Dental Assistant

VanTreese DDS - General Dentist - Sidney, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Dentist DDS DMD Salaries

A Dentist DDS DMD'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 Dentist DDS DMD Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Dentist DDS DMD'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): $194,762
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $195,367
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $195,972
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $196,819
  • Expert (over 8 years): $200,222
Levels Salary
Entry Level Dentist DDS DMD$194,762
Intermediate Level Dentist DDS DMD$195,367
Senior Level Dentist DDS DMD$195,972
Specialist Level Dentist DDS DMD$196,819
Expert Level Dentist DDS DMD$200,222
$194,762 0 yr
$195,367 < 2 yrs
$195,972 2-4 yrs
$196,819 5-8 yrs
$200,222 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Dentist DDS DMD Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Dentist DDS DMDs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $221,686.
  • California: $220,845.
  • Massachusetts: $217,902.

Top Paying Cities for Dentist DDS DMDs

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: $252,540
  • San Francisco: $250,057
  • Oakland: $244,511

What Skills Can Increase a Dentist DDS DMD'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.
See More Skills
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 Dentist DDS DMD'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
$220,244
10%
Coaching
$214,238
7%
Insight
$214,238
7%
Pediatric
$210,233
5%
Leadership
$208,231
4%
Support Services
$206,229
3%
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How Education impacts a Dentist DDS DMD's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Dentist DDS DMDs 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 DDS DMD with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $190,456 and $203,180).

Dentist DDS DMD Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Dentist DDS DMD
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%
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Dentist DDS DMD Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Dentist DDS DMD'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 April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Dentist DDS DMD

Salaries for a Dentist DDS DMD can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $113,719 in 2023 to around $113,281 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Dentist DDS DMD salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Dentist DDS DMD Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$113,719
2024
$115,096
2025
$113,281
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $113,719
2024 $115,096
2025 $113,281
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Dentist DDS DMD

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Dentist DDS DMD

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

Find Your Next Dentist DDS DMD Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Dentist DDS DMD job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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.)

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