Dentist earnings by seniority

50th percentile

Mid-level dentist earnings begin at:

$96.27 per hour

$200,250 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level dentist earnings begin at:

$60.73 per hour

$126,320 per year

10th percentile

Starting level dentist earnings begin at:

$47.30 per hour

$98,390 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Dentist salary by state

State Name Average Salary
Puerto Rico $55,350
Delaware $264,440
Alaska $259,350
Rhode Island $254,190
Minnesota $227,280
New Hampshire $226,300
Connecticut $205,330
North Dakota $200,250
North Carolina $195,680
Nevada $195,610
Wisconsin $192,440
Maine $188,460
Ohio $188,390
Michigan $187,010
Oregon $179,490
Tennessee $178,550
Iowa $177,410
Vermont $171,890
Missouri $171,840
Washington $171,430
Arizona $171,320
District of Columbia $169,670
Hawaii $166,530
Virginia $164,650
South Dakota $164,120
Idaho $161,750
Montana $160,750
Indiana $157,710
Texas $157,200
Kansas $155,950
Alabama $154,400
South Carolina $153,610
New Mexico $153,010
Georgia $149,240
Massachusetts $148,520
Florida $145,940
Mississippi $144,030
New Jersey $143,120
Illinois $143,090
Kentucky $135,670
New York $133,640
Arkansas $133,250
Maryland $132,450
Colorado $131,090
Oklahoma $128,780
Pennsylvania $127,370
West Virginia $126,330
California $125,860
Nebraska $123,090
Utah $116,440
Louisiana $106,140
Wyoming $102,790

How much does a Dentist earn?

Most dentists, approximately 80 percent, are general dentists, according to the American Dental Education Association. The rest specialize in fields, such as pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and surgery, which require additional years of study and typically result in higher salaries.

With an average salary of $166,810 in 2014, dentists earn far more than most other health-care workers. Dentists earn much more than dental assistants ($36,260) and dental hygienists ($71,970). Registered nurses ($69,790) and pharmacists ($118,470) also make less than the average dentist.

Just like other professionals, dentists make less than their counterparts in the beginning of their career. In the year 2008 the lowest 10 percent of the general dentists earned an hourly wage of $34.55 per hour or $71,870 per year. However, the earning capacity of dentists keeps on increasing with their experience. For example, the top 10 percent of general dentists still earn about $100,000 per year whereas the top earners in this field can accrue up to $190,000 per year.

How do dentist salaries compare to similar careers?

Dentists earn 14% more than similar careers in North Dakota. On average, they make less than cardiothoracic surgeons but more than chiropractors.

Career Median Salary
Cardiothoracic surgeon salary $219K
Orthopaedic surgeon salary $219K
Neurosurgeon salary $219K
Surgeon salary $219K
Colorectal surgeon salary $219K
Dentist salary $200K
Psychiatrist salary $196K
Internist salary $202K
Veterinarian salary $88K
Chiropractor salary $62K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)