Dental Instructor Salary in the United States

How much does a Dental Instructor make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Dental Instructor in the United States is $65,685 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $82,686
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $57,040 to $74,584
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,169
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View as table View as graph 25% $57,040 10% $49,169 90% $82,686 75% $74,584 $65,685 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Dental Instructor Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $74,584 $6,215 $1,434 $36
Average $65,685 $5,474 $1,263 $32
25th Percentile $57,040 $4,753 $1,097 $27
Check out Dental Instructor Job Openings in the United States
Dental Assistant

Ross Education - Elyria, OH

Dental Assistant Instructor

Zollege - Columbus, OH

Dental Hygienist

Community Dental - BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI

Dental Hygienist

Lake Superior Dental - TWO HARBORS, MN

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Key Factors That Influence Dental Instructor Salaries

A Dental Instructor'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 Do Dental Instructor 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 Dental Instructors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $72,726.
  • California: $72,450.
  • Massachusetts: $71,485.

Top Paying Cities for Dental Instructors

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: $82,848
  • San Francisco: $82,033
  • Oakland: $80,214

What Skills Can Increase a Dental Instructor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 12.53% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Dental Hygiene (Mentioned in 2.03% Job Postings): Collecting and managing information generated during medical research to ensure data integrity, quality, and compliance with state regulations.
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 1.43% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 12.53%
Dental Hygiene 2.03%
First Aid 1.43%
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 Dental Instructor's salary.
  • Safety Standards: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Patient Care: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • PowerPoint: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Safety Standards
$75,537
15%
Patient Care
$74,880
14%
PowerPoint
$72,910
11%
Economics
$70,939
8%
Dental Hygiene
$70,283
7%
Problem Solving
$69,626
6%
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How Education impacts a Dental Instructor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Dental Instructors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Dental Instructor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $62,437 and $69,244).

Dental Instructor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Dental Instructor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 60.0%
High School 40.0%
Associates 60.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 40.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Dental Instructor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Dental Instructor'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 Dental Instructor

Salaries for a Dental Instructor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $56,900 in 2023 to around $54,960 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Dental Instructor salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Dental Instructor Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$56,900
2024
$56,173
2025
$54,960
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $56,900
2024 $56,173
2025 $54,960
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Dental Instructor

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Dental Instructor

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

Find Your Next Dental Instructor Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Dental Instructor 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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