Average Dentist Salary in the United States (By State)

What is the national average dentist salary? How much do dentists make? The mouth, teeth, gums, and other associated regions are all covered by dentistry. According to research, disorders of the teeth and gums might be signs or symptoms of other health problems.

What is a dentist?

A dentist is responsible for a variety of critical tasks related to oral health. Check-ups are a crucial aspect of the work for patients who want to stay on top of their dental health. General dentistry includes basic procedures that may be performed in a normal dental clinic in addition to general check-ups. Filling a cavity, conducting a small surgical operation such as a tooth extraction, and cleaning and polishing teeth are examples of such procedures.

Brushing, flossing, and having regular cleanings are all healthy practices that a dentist will urge patients to do since they may help prevent cavities and other tooth and gum problems.

Specific specializations within dentistry need further training, resulting in competence in a specific field. Specialties include the following:

• An endodontist performs root canal treatments and other procedures and examinations involving the inner tooth's internal tissues or "pulp," which is mostly made up of nerves and blood vessels; an endodontist performs root canal treatments and other procedures and examinations involving the inner tooth's internal tissues or "pulp."
• An orthodontist will install braces and treat abnormalities with misaligned teeth; will also deal with difficulties concerning bone in and around the mouth area that may be connected to other health issues.
• Periodontics - the region around the tooth, including the gums and other tissues; a periodontist will treat gum disease and other gum problems.
• Prosthodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with aesthetic dentistry and the look of teeth; a prosthodontist places implants to replace missing teeth and manages other oral prostheses.

What dental speciality pays the most?

Oral surgeons are typically the highest paid dental practitioners. The average salary for these professions is above $200,000.

How can a dentist's pay be increased?

One approach for a dentist to make more money is to broaden their area of practice. You can earn more money if you provide aesthetic dentistry procedures and operations in addition to basic dental care. Another way to boost your earnings is to specialize. An orthodontist, for example, is a dentist who specializes in the alignment of the jaws and teeth. Orthodontists earn an average of $256,491 a year in the United States, which is much more than a general dentist.

Average dentist salary, how much does a dentist earn?

In the United States, dentist salaries average is $199,363. Dentistry is one of the most well-paid medical specialties. Dentists who operate their own practice can earn substantially more money than the typical person. In the area of dentistry, oral surgeons and endodontists receive the highest pay.

The geographic location and type of practice have an impact on a dentist's pay. Those that give services to a heavily populated or rich region should expect to earn more money. Salary potential is also affected by the number of dentists in the area; the fewer the dentists, the better the earning potential. Once you've built a patient base and hired other dentists to work for you, opening your own practice offers you more control over your revenue.

Dentists earn more based on their skills and specialities.

Average dentist salary by state

National average base salary by state.

• Alabama: $172,050 per year.

• Alaska: $242,850 per year.

• Arizona: $199,660 per year.

• Arkansas: $163,260 per year.

• California: $160,300 per year.

• Colorado: $184,550 per year.

• Connecticut: $221,440 per year.

• Florida: $180,920 per year.

• Georgia: $175,880 per year.

• Hawaii: $202,890 per year.

• Idaho: $206,360 per year.

• Illinois: $198,480 per year.

• Indiana: $171,730 per year.

• Iowa: $169,990 per year.

• Kansas: $170,710 per year.

• Kentucky: $128,850 per year.

• Louisiana: $145,980 per year.

• Maine: $236,060 per year.

• Maryland: $180,600 per year.

• Massachusetts: $205,160 per year.

• Michigan: $213,250 per year.

• Minnesota: $213,310 per year.

• Mississippi: $168,250 per year.

• Missouri: $157,030 per year.

• Montana: $171,950 per year.

• Nebraska: $178,490 per year.

• Nevada: $203,450 per year.

• New Hampshire: $222,430 per year.

• New Jersey: $177,570 per year.

• New Mexico: $166,910 per year.

• New York: $170,350 per year.

• North Carolina: $178,980 per year.

• North Dakota: $203,890 per year.

• Ohio: $196,920 per year.

• Oklahoma: $182,190 per year.

• Oregon: $215,750 per year.

• Pennsylvania: $155,360 per year.

• Rhode Island: $258,920 per year.

• South Carolina: $159,810 per year.

• South Dakota: $187,850 per year.

• Tennessee: $167,460 per year.

• Texas: $184,410 per year.

• Utah: $147,730 per year.

• Vermont: $254,190 per year.

• Virginia: $196,890 per year.

• Washington: $187,520 per year.

• West Virginia: $127,950 per year.

• Wisconsin: $200,640 per year.

• Wyoming: $133,750 per year.

Job outlook and career insights

In the United States, there are around 132,800 dentists. Between 2016 and 2026, the dental employment market/job market is anticipated to expand by 19.4%.