General dentist salary in California
The median general dentist in California earns $165,950 a year (about $79.78 an hour); the mean is $170,690. That is $5,000 (3%) below the US median of $170,950, and ranks 33 of 47 among states with published figures. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
| California | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $165,950 | $170,950 |
| Mean annual wage | $170,690 | $191,350 |
| Median hourly equivalent | $79.78 | $82.19 |
| Employed | 16,770 | 124,390 |
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.
How California compares with nearby ranks
States closest to California in the general dentist median ranking:
| State | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | $166,650 | $195,140 |
| Colorado | $166,240 | $160,810 |
| Oklahoma | $166,170 | $188,280 |
| Pennsylvania | $163,390 | $172,710 |
| Texas | $162,360 | $178,360 |
| Nevada | $162,200 | $178,460 |
See the full state ranking for general dentists.
Other dental roles in California
- Dental hygienist salary in CaliforniaMedian $124,930
- Dental assistant salary in CaliforniaMedian $50,110
More for California
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Common questions
How much does a general dentist make in California?
The median annual wage for general dentists in California is $165,950 (about $79.78 an hour) and the mean is $170,690, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
How does California compare with the national figure?
The California median is $5,000 (3%) below the national median of $170,950. It ranks 33 of 47 states and districts with published figures for general dentists.
How many general dentists work in California?
BLS estimates 16,770 employed general dentists in California in May 2025.
Do these numbers include practice owners?
No. BLS counts people on an employer's payroll. Owners who take profit from their own practice are mostly outside the survey.