Dentists, General Salary in Washington, DC
Dentists, General in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $184,540 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $124,684 take-home, or $10,390 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median dentists, general salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$33,024
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,676
- District of Columbia income tax$12,717
- Take-home pay$124,684
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Dentists, General pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $105,610 | $50.77 | $77,118 | $6,427 |
| 25th percentile | $156,460 | $75.22 | $107,876 | $8,990 |
| Median (50th) | $184,540 | $88.72 | $124,684 | $10,390 |
| 75th percentile | $229,130 | $110.16 | $152,973 | $12,748 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $324,370+ | $155.95 | $205,405 | $17,117 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $184,540 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median dentists, general's $124,684 take-home pay has the buying power of $114,511 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.2× the national concentration of dentists, general jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for dentists, general, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #5 of 8 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix, AZ | $194,180 | $139,942 | $135,451 |
| 2 | Dallas, TX | $179,990 | $134,289 | $130,264 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $190,010 | $131,309 | $116,654 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $163,390 | $117,927 | $114,990 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $184,540 | $124,684 | $114,511 |
| 6 | Miami, FL | $172,210 | $128,972 | $112,979 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $156,100 | $110,378 | $106,548 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $139,990 | $96,340 | $84,832 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 8 metros →
About the job: dentists, general
Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.7% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dentists, general make in Washington, DC?
The median dentists, general salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $184,540 a year, or about $88.72 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $156,460 and $229,130.
What is a dentists, general’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $184,540 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $124,684 a year ($10,390 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $12,717 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a dentists, general?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $170,950. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $114,511 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #5 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a dentists, general afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median dentists, general’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
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- Pharmacist — $150,540
- Physician Assistant — $148,200
- Nurse Practitioner — $134,840
- Physical Therapist — $102,980
- Occupational Therapist — $102,960
- Registered Nurse — $102,710
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $99,960
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $97,390
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $75,860
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $70,300