Average Salary Range of a Dentist
The salary range for dentists is wide and varied, depending on experience, location, and type of practice. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for dentists in the United States was $152,700 in May 2018.
Dentists in the lowest 10 percent earned an average of $59,770, while those in the highest 10 percent earned an average of $208,000. Salaries for dentists in the middle 50 percent earned between $102,440 and $164,160.
There is potential to earn more in certain locations and with certain specialty areas. For example, dentists in California, Hawaii, and the District of Columbia earned the highest salaries in May 2018, with averages ranging from $191,330 to $209,620. Dentists specializing in oral and maxillofacial surgery earned the highest salaries of all dental specialties, with an average of $241,740.
The salary range for dentists is likely to continue to increase as demand for dental services grows. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment for dentists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.