How much does a dentist make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $108.17 an hour or $18,750 a month.
- Hourly
- $108.17
- Average (mean)
- $247,900
- Jobs
- 5,230
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $104,100 | $50.06 | |
| 25th | $166,100 | $79.87 | |
| Median | $225,000 | $108.17 | |
| 75th | $280,600 | $134.90 | |
| 90th | $402,700 | $193.61 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| Texas | $286,500 |
| Oregon | $256,500 |
| Illinois | $250,900 |
| South Carolina | $246,800 |
| Arizona | $244,200 |
| West Virginia | $235,400 |
| Arkansas | $232,700 |
| California | $230,700 |
| Missouri | $230,100 |
| Michigan | $229,200 |
| North Carolina | $226,000 |
| Nebraska | $225,000 |
| Oklahoma | $223,200 |
| Maryland | $207,500 |
| New Jersey | $201,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $195,200 |
| Ohio | $192,100 |
| Colorado | $186,600 |
| Connecticut | $126,400 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Orlando, FL | $469,800 |
| Dallas, TX | $402,600 |
| Houston, TX | $389,500 |
| Austin, TX | $281,900 |
| San Francisco, CA | $279,800 |
| Chicago, IL | $269,200 |
| Tucson, AZ | $254,700 |
| Portland, OR | $249,600 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $244,200 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $241,100 |
| Palm Bay, FL | $234,600 |
| Boston, MA | $233,100 |
| Seattle, WA | $232,100 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $230,500 |
| Riverside, CA | $230,200 |
In other countries
Dentist belongs to the international group "Dentists".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Chiropractor$79,200
- Dentist$171,000
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon$352,200
- Orthodontist$289,100
- Prosthodontist$311,200
- Dietitian and Nutritionist$76,400
- Optometrist$136,600
- Pharmacist$140,900
- Physician Assistant$135,900
- Podiatrist$160,300
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dentist make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $108.17 ($225,000 a year).
How much does a dentist make a month?
About $18,750 a month before tax, based on a median of $225,000 a year.
How much does a dentist make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $104,100 or less a year ($50.06 an hour); the top 10% make $402,700 or more.
Which state pays dentists the most?
Texas, with a median of $286,500 a year, followed by Oregon ($256,500) and Illinois ($250,900).
Which city pays dentists the most?
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL, with a median of $469,800 a year.
How many dentists are there in the United States?
About 5,230 people work as dentists.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.