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.
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 #36 of 51 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Port, FL | $239,200+ | $177,832 | $173,635 |
| 2 | Columbia, SC | $228,820 | $156,705 | $167,309 |
| 3 | Nashville, TN | $215,290 | $160,188 | $166,277 |
| 4 | Orlando, FL | $212,300 | $157,986 | $155,777 |
| 5 | St. Louis, MO | $210,430 | $147,656 | $155,283 |
| 6 | Richmond, VA | $218,880 | $150,980 | $154,285 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | $222,690 | $154,318 | $154,229 |
| 8 | Raleigh, NC | $207,380 | $146,597 | $149,349 |
| 36 | Washington, DC | $184,540 | $124,684 | $114,511 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 51 metros →
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 #36 of 51 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
- Psychiatrist — $239,200+
- Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Family Medicine Physician — $225,140
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $223,250
- Nurse Anesthetist — $223,150
- Physicians, All Other — $208,710
- Pediatricians, General — $172,520
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other — $166,230
- Optometrist — $154,690
- Veterinarian — $154,350
- Pharmacist — $150,540
- Physician Assistant — $148,200