Dentists, General Salary
Dentists, General earn a median $170,950 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
U.S. median
$170,950
$82.19 per hour
Range
$86,250 – $239,200+
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
124,390
across the U.S.
▼1.1%
Pay trend: The median for dentists, general in the U.S. fell from $172,790 (May 2024) to $170,950 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 3.5%.
What dentists, general do
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)
- Openings per year
- 4,200
- Self-employed
- 12%
Employment of dentists, general is projected to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Dentists, General take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$128,110
per year · effective tax rate 25.1%
$10,676Monthly
$5,338Twice a month
$4,927Every 2 weeks
$61.59Hourly
- Federal income tax$29,762
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,599
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,479
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$128,110
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,250 | $41.47 | $69,507 |
| 25th percentile | $125,710 | $60.44 | $97,189 |
| Median (50th) | $170,950 | $82.19 | $128,110 |
| 75th percentile | $224,040 | $107.71 | $166,139 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $319,630+ | $153.67 | $227,475 |
Best cities for dentists, general (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix, AZ | $194,180 | $139,942 | $135,451 | 2,700 |
| 2 | Dallas, TX | $179,990 | $134,289 | $130,264 | 2,890 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $190,010 | $131,309 | $116,654 | 7,240 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $163,390 | $117,927 | $114,990 | 2,570 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $184,540 | $124,684 | $114,511 | 3,040 |
| 6 | Miami, FL | $172,210 | $128,972 | $112,979 | 3,270 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $156,100 | $110,378 | $106,548 | 5,910 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $139,990 | $96,340 | $84,832 | 6,300 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Phoenix, AZ — $194,180
- New York, NY — $190,010
- Washington, DC — $184,540
- Dallas, TX — $179,990
- Miami, FL — $172,210
- Philadelphia, PA — $163,390
- Chicago, IL — $156,100
- Los Angeles, CA — $139,990
Dentists, General salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $230,990 | +0.1% | $170,702 | $124,200 – $239,200+ | 310 |
| North Dakota | $220,660 | +9.6% | $160,877 | $138,570 – $239,200+ | 260 |
| Minnesota | $219,200 | +4.5% | $148,573 | $132,930 – $226,940 | 2,370 |
| Tennessee | $215,290 | +39.4% | $160,188 | $84,360 – $239,200+ | 2,200 |
| Oregon | $211,690 | +13.9% | $138,880 | $143,990 – $239,200+ | 1,660 |
| Maine | $209,200 | +0.2% | $142,241 | $152,740 – $239,200+ | 310 |
| North Carolina | $207,000 | +8.2% | $146,332 | $107,810 – $239,200+ | 4,140 |
| Georgia | $206,760 | +5.6% | $143,798 | $93,590 – $239,200+ | 2,620 |
| Missouri | $204,960 | — | $143,884 | $95,610 – $239,200+ | 2,440 |
| Vermont | $204,960 | −11.3% | $140,790 | $112,490 – $239,200+ | 240 |
| Virginia | $197,110 | +8.0% | $136,253 | $105,400 – $239,200+ | 4,140 |
| Arizona | $194,180 | −6.0% | $139,942 | $62,230 – $239,200+ | 3,470 |
| Wisconsin | $193,690 | −6.3% | $135,338 | $121,780 – $239,200+ | 2,560 |
| New York | $183,060 | +11.6% | $126,627 | $75,410 – $239,200+ | 7,340 |
| Massachusetts | $181,600 | — | $126,530 | $101,470 – $239,200+ | 2,780 |
| Iowa | $181,520 | +3.7% | $129,089 | $100,920 – $239,200+ | 1,240 |
| Nebraska | $179,750 | +6.9% | $126,826 | $68,040 – $239,200+ | 790 |
| Arkansas | $178,930 | +3.7% | $126,799 | $99,010 – $223,010 | 1,210 |
| New Hampshire | $177,480 | +9.5% | $132,574 | $99,780 – $239,200+ | 500 |
| Florida | $174,900 | +7.4% | $130,810 | $98,680 – $239,200+ | 9,320 |
| New Jersey | $171,330 | +7.2% | $119,646 | $77,920 – $239,200+ | 2,980 |
| Louisiana | $170,750 | −4.9% | $123,237 | $80,530 – $239,200+ | 1,500 |
| West Virginia | $170,370 | +15.6% | $120,437 | $96,270 – $239,200+ | 420 |
| Michigan | $169,930 | −4.0% | $120,442 | $109,960 – $239,200+ | 3,620 |
| Washington | $169,730 | −14.3% | $127,276 | $85,240 – $239,200+ | 3,240 |
| Maryland | $168,500 | −11.0% | $118,519 | $107,880 – $239,200+ | 2,100 |
| Hawaii | $167,820 | +19.9% | $114,635 | $83,310 – $239,200+ | 830 |
| Ohio | $167,410 | +7.6% | $121,869 | $64,910 – $239,200+ | 2,790 |
| Montana | $167,200 | +4.8% | $117,461 | $63,710 – $230,580 | 380 |
| Indiana | $166,650 | −5.8% | $120,285 | $81,370 – $239,200+ | 2,300 |
| Colorado | $166,240 | +22.0% | $118,285 | $84,590 – $229,070 | 2,940 |
| Oklahoma | $166,170 | +2.7% | $117,911 | $97,290 – $239,200+ | 980 |
| California | $165,950 | −7.1% | $111,332 | $74,510 – $239,200+ | 16,770 |
| Pennsylvania | $163,390 | −3.2% | $117,927 | $65,520 – $239,200+ | 4,460 |
| Texas | $162,360 | +3.2% | $122,239 | $83,990 – $239,200+ | 8,920 |
| Nevada | $162,200 | +29.6% | $122,130 | $99,600 – $239,200+ | 1,100 |
| Rhode Island | $161,560 | — | $115,620 | $103,490 – $239,200+ | 360 |
| Connecticut | $160,440 | −17.0% | $113,450 | $89,430 – $239,200+ | 1,950 |
| South Carolina | $158,640 | +0.1% | $111,335 | $96,920 – $239,200+ | 2,140 |
| South Dakota | $158,140 | −2.9% | $119,355 | $94,560 – $239,200+ | 390 |
| Illinois | $156,110 | −13.5% | $110,385 | $123,920 – $239,200+ | 6,940 |
| New Mexico | $155,260 | −9.6% | $111,109 | $101,180 – $239,200+ | 780 |
| Mississippi | $143,660 | +11.7% | $104,443 | $59,700 – $239,200+ | 740 |
| Kentucky | $134,160 | −1.0% | $98,386 | $44,820 – $239,200+ | 790 |
| Utah | $133,320 | +0.8% | $97,357 | $84,020 – $222,820 | 1,020 |
| Idaho | $124,190 | −25.4% | $90,676 | $91,070 – $203,610 | 650 |
| Wyoming | $123,830 | −2.4% | $95,904 | $71,150 – $235,090 | 240 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | $224,990 | Doctoral or professional degree | +1.3% |
| Orthodontist | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +6.0% |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +5.6% |
| Podiatrist | $160,300 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.0% |
| Pharmacist | $140,910 | Doctoral or professional degree | +5.2% |
| Optometrist | $136,570 | Doctoral or professional degree | +9.5% |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree | +21.1% |
| Nurse Midwive | $134,040 | Master's degree | +11.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree | +41.0% |
| Pediatricians, General | $210,040 | Doctoral or professional degree | +1.5% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dentists, general make?
The national median salary for dentists, general is $170,950 a year ($82.19 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $86,250 and the top 10% earn over $239,200+. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays dentists, general the most?
Alaska has the highest median pay at $230,990. After taxes and local prices, Phoenix, AZ offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many dentists, general are there in the U.S.?
About 124,390 people work as dentists, general nationwide.