Dentist Salary.
Across 83 U.S. cities.
$175,000
national median salary
$145,000 to $218,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$239,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$183,000
Des Moines, IA
Lowest Paying
$131,000
Charleston, WV
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026.
The average Dentist salary in the United States is $175,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $145,000 at the 25th percentile to $218,000 at the 75th. San Francisco pays the most at $239,000, while Des Moines offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Specialization is the largest pay driver, with oral surgeons, orthodontists, and endodontists earning well above general dentists.
Dentist salary by city
Skills that increase Dentist pay
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Dentists based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $24,500 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$24,500 per year
≈ +$22,750 per year
≈ +$21,000 per year
≈ +$19,250 per year
≈ +$19,250 per year
≈ +$17,500 per year
≈ +$17,500 per year
≈ +$15,750 per year
What you should know
Specialization is the largest pay driver, with oral surgeons, orthodontists, and endodontists earning well above general dentists. Practice ownership versus associateship creates a wide income gap. Geographic location and local competition density affect patient volume and fee schedules, while cosmetic and implant services generate the highest per-procedure revenue.
New associate dentists earn $130,000 to $160,000 on a base plus production model. Experienced associates with five to seven years reach $175,000 to $220,000. Practice owners or partners in multi-location groups can earn $250,000 to $400,000 or more depending on practice profitability.
Associate dentists often receive production-based bonuses of 25 to 35% of collections above a base guarantee. Practice owners retain higher gross income but carry overhead of 55 to 65%. Benefits for associates include malpractice coverage, CE stipends, and health insurance.