Dentist Salary in USA

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Mrunmayai Bobade
Updated on Feb 21, 2023 12:07 PM IST

The Dentist salary in USA falls somewhere in the range of USD 117,000 to 372,000 per year. As per the US News & World Report's ‘100 Best Jobs’ list published in 2021, the profession of dentist in USA was ranked 9th among all other jobs. Find out more about dentist salary in USA below.

Dentist Salary in USA

Dentist salary USA: Dentists are essential to maintaining and safeguarding our oral health. As the population continues to age and more studies demonstrate the link between oral health and general health, the demand for dental services is expanding.

To become a dentist in USA, candidates need to complete eight years of education. This includes four years of a bachelor's degree and another four years in dental school to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD). It should go without saying that becoming a dentist is not an inexpensive endeavour.

Nevertheless, a career in dentistry is a wise choice with a good return on investment (ROI) rate. It holds the ninth position overall in the '100 Best Jobs' list published by US News & World Report in 2021. Prosthodontists, orthodontists, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons were three of the top 35 dental specialities on this list.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that between 2018 and 2028, the employment rate of dentists will increase by 7%, which is faster than the average for all other professions. The growing demand for dentists has opened up a variety of practice locations worldwide, but how do find the highest-paying areas in the USA? Let us find out below.

Wish to know more about the scope of medical-related fields in the USA? Check out our guide on Doctor's Salary in the USA! Or, if you have any queries, you may connect with our expert team right away!

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State-Wise Average Dentist Salary USA

There is a wide variation in dentist compensation from one state to another in the United States. Salary levels are affected by factors such as geographic region, cost of living, and demand for dental services. Let us take a look at the following table that represents the hourly rate and state-wise average dentist salary in USA.

US State

Hourly Rate (in USD)

Average Annual Salary (in USD)

Alabama

76.34

158,780

Alaska

91.88

191,103

Arizona

66.85

139,047

Arkansas

68.10

141,646

California

63.27

131,595

Colorado

65.13

135,466

Connecticut

81.72

169,975

Delaware

65.06

135,324

District of Columbia

81.91

170,375

Florida

65.63

136,511

Georgia

69.57

144,705

Hawaii

66.14

137,564

Idaho

77.76

161,745

Illinois

79.97

166,338

Indiana

69.58

144,725

Lowa

62.86

130,740

Kansas

65.94

137,151

Kentucky

49.26

102,462

Louisiana

54.58

13,522

Maine

78.11

162,465

Maryland

1.04

147,758

Massachusetts

85.99

178,867

Michigan

73.86

153,633

Minnesota

78.58

163,441

Mississippi

72.98

151,803

Missouri

67.58

140,574

Montana

7.59

140,587

Nebraska

72.40

150,586

Nevada

78.73

163,766

New Hampshire

81.63

169,794

New Jersey

69.27

144,072

New Mexico

65.68

136,623

New York

61.97

128,906

North Carolina

66.14

137,561

North Dakota

72.04

149,851

Ohio

75.98

158,033

Oklahoma

68.71

142,913

Oregon

80.20

166,822

Pennsylvania

61.36

127,621

Rhode Island

88.14

183,331

South Carolina

63.99

133,091

South Dakota

59.08

122,885

Tennessee

56.45

117,408

Texas

68.27

142,009

Utah

60.46

125,761

Vermont

77.12

160,408

Virginia

70.48

146,591

Washington

65.76

136,789

West Virginia

51.48

107,076

Wisconsin

77.67

161,547

Wyoming

57.33

119,255

Dentist Salary USA Based on Dental Specialisations

A Dentists salary might be a crucial consideration when deciding on a field of specialisation or whether to pursue a medical degree in dentistry. There are many factors to take into account when choosing a dental speciality. It may help you find an estimate of your economic profit and aid in future financial planning as a Dentist. It may also give you an estimate of how and when you will be able to pay off your student loan (if any).

In order to treat and manage a variety of oral health conditions, dental practitioners can opt to specialise in one or more of these fields. For several dental specialities, different degrees of education and training are needed, which can lead to compensation differences. The following table shows the Dentist salary in USA based on different specialisations:

Dental Specialisations

Average Salary/Year (in USD)

Dental Anesthesiology

278,460

Endodontics

194,930

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

171,040

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

194,930

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

234,990

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

237,990

Pediatric Dentistry

194,930

Periodontics

164,010

Prosthodontics

214,870

Public Health Dentistry

194,930

Highest Paying Cities for Dentists in USA

The average dentist salary USA varies by both city and state. There are several factors like employer, experience, industry, specialisation, etc. that affect these salaries. Take a look at the following table to know the highest paying cities for dentists in USA:

US City

Hourly Rate (in USD)

Average Salary/Year (in USD)

Atlanta, GA

70.03

145,664

Baltimore, MD

71.69

149,117

Chicago, IL

81.57

169,671

Cleveland, OH

77.78

161,786

Hartford, CT

84.06

174,841

Houston, TX

68.88

143,261

Jacksonville, NC

66.66

138,657

Las Vegas, NV

92.03

242,000

Lynn, MA

89.05

185,221

Milwaukee, WI

78.60

163,491

Oklahoma City, OK

69.05

143,630

Richmond, IN

70.16

145,928

Saint Louis, MO

68.38

142,220

Springfield, VA

71.57

148,869

Tucson, AZ

67.00

139,358

Washington, DC

83.86

174,433

Top Dentist Employers in USA

A dentist's salary is influenced by their employer in part. Even while it is the requirement for all employers to adhere to local, state, and federal wage rates, some pay more than others. However, self-employed dentists in USA make an average of USD 239,447 a year, which is significantly more than dentists employed by a single employer. The following are top dentist employers in USA with the average annual salary they pay their employees:

Name of the Company

Hourly Rate (in USD)

Average Salary/Year (in USD)

Alameda Health System

81.73

169,991

Apple

81.53

169,573

Arthur's Enterprises, Inc.

84.15

175,026

Benevis

80.80

168,055

Cassopolis Family Clinic Network

81.23

168,958

Catholic Charities Of The Archdiocese Of Washington

82.17

170,918

Chesterfields Ltd

81.44

169,391

Christie Clinic

81.54

169,610

Comprehensive Community Action Program

81.04

168,558

East Bay Community Action Program

80.72

167,901

Glenwood

82.41

171,410

ImmediaDent

80.86

168,183

MCR Health Inc

84.01

174,747

MINT dentistry

79.50

165,366

Neighborhood Health

79.56

165,482

PCHC - Penobscot Community Health Care

79.41

165,166

Resources for Human Development

80.48

167,391

Salud Total

82.13

170,823

The Centers

80.07

166,552

The Primary Health Network

86.73

180,405

Dentist Salary USA Distribution Based on History of Work Experience

Apart from the state, city, or location of an individual, the experience level is the most important factor in determining the dentist's salary in USA. It goes without saying that the more experience you have, the higher your salary will be. The following table shows the years of work experience in the field of dentistry, their average annual salary along with their percentage of increase based on their previous work experience:

Work Experience (in Years)

Average Annual Salary (in USD)

% Increase in Salary

0 to 2

139,000

NA

2-5

178,000

29%

5-10

246,000

38%

10-15

304,000

24%

15-20

326,000

7%

20+

348,000

7%

US Dental Industry Related Jobs and Salaries

There are numerous prospects in the dental sector. While some jobs require years of education and training, others do not. Receptionists and dental front office managers collaborate to make sure the dental clinic works well. Dental sales representatives provide dentists with the instruments, apparatus, and supplies required for their work. The dental laboratory technician plans, designs, and fabricates the patient's dental prosthesis in collaboration with the dentist. The following table shows several jobs in the dentistry field, along with their average yearly salaries:

Types of Dental-Related Jobs

Average Annual Salary (in USD)

Dental Front Office Manager

50,339

Dental Laboratory Technician

45,000

Dental Sales Representative

40,000

Dental Assistant

42,000

Dental Hygienist

78,000

Dental Receptionist

32,000

Dentist Salary in USA Comparison 2013-2022

No stranger to average and hourly dentist salary USA that varies by state, city, specialisations, employers, work experience, etc. Let us now look at how the salary of dentist USA has gone through the increasing and decreasing percentage of change from the year 2013 to 2022:

Year

Hourly Rate (in USD)

Average Salary (in USD)

% Change

2022

70.87

147,000

+2.1%

2021

69.38

144,000

+2.4%

2020

67.71

141,000

+0.3%

2019

67.53

140,000

-1.6%

2018

68.63

143,000

+0.8%

2017

68.09

142,000

+2.1%

2016

66.68

139,000

+2.1%

2015

65.25

136,000

+0.8%

2014

64.76

135,000

+1.7%

2013

63.65

132,000

-

The road to becoming a dentist is arduous and takes over eight years to complete. After receiving your initial licence, however, you can choose between working as a general dentist or specialising in a particular speciality of dentistry. Moreover, your specialisation will then get you an additional licence after it gets completed.

Feeling this information is insufficient? Or, confused about which dental specialisation is right for you? Let us know at abroad@collegedekho.com. and we will answer your queries as soon as possible!

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FAQs

What is the average salary of a dentist in the USA?

The average salary of a dentist in the USA is USD 147,415 per year or USD 70.87 per hour. On the lower end of that scale or the bottom 10%, dentists earn approximately USD 99,000 per year. On the other hand, the top 10% earn USD 218,000 annually. In the USA, how much a dentist makes depends on where they work or the state/city they reside in. For example, in states like Alaska, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, dentists earn a decent salary.

Which specialisation in dentistry pays the highest salary in the USA?

Dental Anesthesiologist and Cosmetic Dentist are two of the specialisations in dentistry that pays the highest salary in the USA. The average annual salary of a Dental Anesthesiologist is USD 278,460. On the other hand, the median annual salary of a Cosmetic Dentist is USD 160,413. 

Which are the best universities in USA to study dentistry?

There are various best universities in USA to study dentistry. Some of them are the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry, the University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor School of Dentistry, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, the University of California Los Angeles School of Dentistry, etc.

Is dentistry considered a high paying job in USA?

Yes, dentistry is considered a high paying job in USA. Dentists in USA are currently high in demand which is predicted to increase by 7% by 2028. Since dentistry has consistently been among the top 20 highest paid occupations for many years, the dental industry has certainly embraced the saying 'Put your money where your mouth is' to reality.

Can an Indian BDS graduate work in the USA?

Unfortunately, an Indian BSD graduate cannot work in the USA. The United States does not fully recognise the Bachelors of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree. Additionally, there are particular academic and immigration requirements you must meet if you wish to work as a qualified dentist in North America.

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