General dentists salary in the United States
The median general dentist in the US earns $170,950 a year (about $82.19 an hour); the mean is $191,350. The middle half earns between $125,710 and $224,040. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, 124,390 employed.
| Measure | Annual | Hourly equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $86,250 | $41.47 |
| 25th percentile | $125,710 | $60.44 |
| Median | $170,950 | $82.19 |
| Mean | $191,350 | $92.00 |
| 75th percentile | $224,040 | $107.71 |
| 90th percentile | $319,630 | $153.67 |
General dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and gums. BLS counts wage-and-salary employees: owner dentists who draw profit from their own practice are mostly not in this number, so these figures describe employed (associate-style) dentists, not practice-owner income.
General dentists salary by state
Ranked by median annual wage. Click a state for its own page with the national comparison.
| State | Median | Mean | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $230,990 | $215,360 | 310 |
| North Dakota | $220,660 | $222,340 | 260 |
| Minnesota | $219,200 | $211,780 | 2,370 |
| Tennessee | $215,290 | $210,700 | 2,200 |
| Oregon | $211,690 | $240,170 | 1,660 |
| Maine | $209,200 | $237,360 | 310 |
| North Carolina | $207,000 | $207,550 | 4,140 |
| Georgia | $206,760 | $214,040 | 2,620 |
| Missouri | $204,960 | $241,580 | 2,440 |
| Vermont | $204,960 | $214,130 | 240 |
| Virginia | $197,110 | $197,820 | 4,140 |
| Arizona | $194,180 | $181,040 | 3,470 |
| Wisconsin | $193,690 | $203,600 | 2,560 |
| New York | $183,060 | $202,040 | 7,340 |
| Massachusetts | $181,600 | $223,200 | 2,780 |
| Iowa | $181,520 | $198,470 | 1,240 |
| Nebraska | $179,750 | $186,420 | 790 |
| Arkansas | $178,930 | $174,280 | 1,210 |
| New Hampshire | $177,480 | $200,420 | 500 |
| Florida | $174,900 | $195,930 | 9,320 |
| New Jersey | $171,330 | $198,290 | 2,980 |
| Louisiana | $170,750 | $176,540 | 1,500 |
| West Virginia | $170,370 | $200,640 | 420 |
| Michigan | $169,930 | $188,930 | 3,620 |
| Washington | $169,730 | $195,810 | 3,240 |
| Maryland | $168,500 | $185,740 | 2,100 |
| Hawaii | $167,820 | $227,370 | 830 |
| Ohio | $167,410 | $180,440 | 2,790 |
| Montana | $167,200 | $168,460 | 380 |
| Indiana | $166,650 | $195,140 | 2,300 |
| Colorado | $166,240 | $160,810 | 2,940 |
| Oklahoma | $166,170 | $188,280 | 980 |
| California | $165,950 | $170,690 | 16,770 |
| Pennsylvania | $163,390 | $172,710 | 4,460 |
| Texas | $162,360 | $178,360 | 8,920 |
| Nevada | $162,200 | $178,460 | 1,100 |
| Rhode Island | $161,560 | $162,440 | 360 |
| Connecticut | $160,440 | $183,990 | 1,950 |
| South Carolina | $158,640 | $181,570 | 2,140 |
| South Dakota | $158,140 | $164,030 | 390 |
| Illinois | $156,110 | $193,050 | 6,940 |
| New Mexico | $155,260 | $185,010 | 780 |
| Mississippi | $143,660 | $149,300 | 740 |
| Kentucky | $134,160 | $157,630 | 790 |
| Utah | $133,320 | $144,880 | 1,020 |
| Idaho | $124,190 | $139,320 | 650 |
| Wyoming | $123,830 | $146,240 | 240 |
Other roles
- Dental hygienists salaryMedian $98,100
- Dental assistants salaryMedian $48,070
- Orthodontists salaryMedian $289,140
- Oral surgeons salaryMedian $352,220
- Prosthodontists salaryMedian $311,180
Have your own number? Add it anonymously or look for open roles on the job board. Buying or selling a practice? See dental practices for sale by state.
Common questions
How much do general dentists make in the United States?
The median annual wage for general dentists is $170,950 (about $82.19 an hour) and the mean is $191,350, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. The middle half of general dentists earn between $125,710 and $224,040.
How many general dentists are employed in the US?
BLS estimates 124,390 employed general dentists in May 2025. The count covers wage-and-salary employment only.
Which state pays general dentists the most?
By median annual wage, Alaska is highest at $230,990, and Wyoming is lowest at $123,830 among the 47 states and districts with published figures. Cost of living differs a lot between them, so compare after housing costs, not just before.
Do these numbers include practice owners?
No. BLS surveys employers about the people on their payroll. Owners who take profit from their own practice are mostly outside the survey, so a dentist-owner's income can differ a lot from the wage figures here.