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Lead Dentist Salary in the United States

How much does a Lead Dentist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Dentist in the United States is $331,371 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $159.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $387,846
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $293,515 to $360,932
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $259,049
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Lead Dentist Salaries

A Lead 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.

How Experience Level Affects Lead Dentist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lead 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $305,214
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $308,724
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $314,574
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $320,423
  • Expert (over 8 years): $330,067
Levels Salary
Entry Level Lead Dentist$305,214
Intermediate Level Lead Dentist$308,724
Senior Level Lead Dentist$314,574
Specialist Level Lead Dentist$320,423
Expert Level Lead Dentist$330,067
View as Graph

How Do Lead Dentist 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 Lead Dentists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $366,894.
  • California: $365,502.
  • Massachusetts: $360,631.

Top Paying Cities for Lead Dentists

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: $417,958
  • San Francisco: $413,382
  • Oakland: $404,670

How Education impacts a Lead Dentist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lead 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 Lead Dentist with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $327,204 and $348,547).

Lead Dentist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Lead Dentist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 100.0%
High School 0.0%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 100.0%
View as Graph

Lead Dentist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lead 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 September 01, 2026
$293,515
Average $331,371/year
$360,932
$24,460
Average $27,614/month
$30,078
$5,645
Average $6,373/week
$6,941
$141
Average $159/hour
$174
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $360,932 $30,078 $6,941 $174
Average $331,371 $27,614 $6,373 $159
25th Percentile $293,515 $24,460 $5,645 $141

Most common benefits for Lead Dentist

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

Common company salaries for Lead Dentist

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

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Dentist 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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