Dentists, General Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for dentists, general in the United States was $170,950 ($82.19 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $86,250 | $41.47 |
| 25th | $125,710 | $60.44 |
| Median | $170,950 | $82.19 |
| 75th | $224,040 | $107.71 |
| 90th | $319,630 | $153.67 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 29-1021
- Total U.S. employment: 124,390
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
How to interpret these figures
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $86,250, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $319,630 — a 3.7x gap between entry-level and top earners.
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $86,250, median pay is $170,950, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $319,630.
Dentists, General Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $230,990 | $111.05 | +35.1% | 310 |
| Arizona | $194,180 | $93.36 | +13.6% | 3,470 |
| Arkansas | $178,930 | $86.02 | +4.7% | 1,210 |
| California | $165,950 | $79.79 | -2.9% | 16,770 |
| Colorado | $166,240 | $79.92 | -2.8% | 2,940 |
| Connecticut | $160,440 | $77.13 | -6.1% | 1,950 |
| Delaware | — | — | — | 390 |
| District of Columbia | — | — | — | 340 |
| Florida | $174,900 | $84.09 | +2.3% | 9,320 |
| Georgia | $206,760 | $99.41 | +20.9% | 2,620 |
| Hawaii | $167,820 | $80.68 | -1.8% | 830 |
| Idaho | $124,190 | $59.71 | -27.4% | 650 |
| Illinois | $156,110 | $75.06 | -8.7% | 6,940 |
| Indiana | $166,650 | $80.12 | -2.5% | 2,300 |
| Iowa | $181,520 | $87.27 | +6.2% | 1,240 |
| Kentucky | $134,160 | $64.50 | -21.5% | 790 |
| Louisiana | $170,750 | $82.09 | -0.1% | 1,500 |
| Maine | $209,200 | $100.58 | +22.4% | 310 |
| Maryland | $168,500 | $81.01 | -1.4% | 2,100 |
| Massachusetts | $181,600 | $87.31 | +6.2% | 2,780 |
| Michigan | $169,930 | $81.70 | -0.6% | 3,620 |
| Minnesota | $219,200 | $105.39 | +28.2% | 2,370 |
| Mississippi | $143,660 | $69.07 | -16.0% | 740 |
| Missouri | $204,960 | $98.54 | +19.9% | 2,440 |
| Montana | $167,200 | $80.39 | -2.2% | 380 |
| Nebraska | $179,750 | $86.42 | +5.1% | 790 |
| Nevada | $162,200 | $77.98 | -5.1% | 1,100 |
| New Hampshire | $177,480 | $85.33 | +3.8% | 500 |
| New Jersey | $171,330 | $82.37 | +0.2% | 2,980 |
| New Mexico | $155,260 | $74.64 | -9.2% | 780 |
| New York | $183,060 | $88.01 | +7.1% | 7,340 |
| North Carolina | $207,000 | $99.52 | +21.1% | 4,140 |
| North Dakota | $220,660 | $106.09 | +29.1% | 260 |
| Ohio | $167,410 | $80.49 | -2.1% | 2,790 |
| Oklahoma | $166,170 | $79.89 | -2.8% | 980 |
| Oregon | $211,690 | $101.77 | +23.8% | 1,660 |
| Pennsylvania | $163,390 | $78.56 | -4.4% | 4,460 |
| Rhode Island | $161,560 | $77.67 | -5.5% | 360 |
| South Carolina | $158,640 | $76.27 | -7.2% | 2,140 |
| South Dakota | $158,140 | $76.03 | -7.5% | 390 |
| Tennessee | $215,290 | $103.51 | +25.9% | 2,200 |
| Texas | $162,360 | $78.06 | -5.0% | 8,920 |
| Utah | $133,320 | $64.10 | -22.0% | 1,020 |
| Vermont | $204,960 | $98.54 | +19.9% | 240 |
| Virginia | $197,110 | $94.76 | +15.3% | 4,140 |
| Washington | $169,730 | $81.60 | -0.7% | 3,240 |
| West Virginia | $170,370 | $81.91 | -0.3% | 420 |
| Wisconsin | $193,690 | $93.12 | +13.3% | 2,560 |
| Wyoming | $123,830 | $59.53 | -27.6% | 240 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Insurance Sales Agents — $62,280/yr
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $38,140/yr
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — $59,850/yr
- Dishwashers — $34,810/yr
- Pharmacy Technicians — $45,750/yr
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $63,800/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for dentists, general?
The median annual wage for dentists, general is $170,950 ($82.19 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays dentists, general the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many dentists, general are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 124,390 dentists, general employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do dentists, general make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $82.19. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.