Dentists (General) Salary by State
The national median pay for dentists (general) is $170,950 a year. By state, it ranges from $123,830 in Wyoming to $230,990 in Alaska.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $86,250
- 25th percentile
- $125,710
- Median
- $170,950
- 75th percentile
- $224,040
- Top 10%
- $319,630
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 124,390 jobs.
Median pay in 47 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $230,990 | +35% | $124,200 | $320,440 | 310 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $220,660 | +29% | $138,570 | $308,040 | 260 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $219,200 | +28% | $132,930 | $226,940 | 2,370 |
| 4 | Tennessee | $215,290 | +26% | $84,360 | $311,900 | 2,200 |
| 5 | Oregon | $211,690 | +24% | $143,990 | $353,310 | 1,660 |
| 6 | Maine | $209,200 | +22% | $152,740 | $385,460 | 310 |
| 7 | North Carolina | $207,000 | +21% | $107,810 | $337,630 | 4,140 |
| 8 | Georgia | $206,760 | +21% | $93,590 | $373,420 | 2,620 |
| 9 | Missouri | $204,960 | +20% | $95,610 | $427,970 | 2,440 |
| 10 | Vermont | $204,960 | +20% | $112,490 | $326,360 | 240 |
| 11 | Virginia | $197,110 | +15% | $105,400 | $321,250 | 4,140 |
| 12 | Arizona | $194,180 | +14% | $62,230 | $336,320 | 3,470 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | $193,690 | +13% | $121,780 | $306,370 | 2,560 |
| 14 | New York | $183,060 | +7% | $75,410 | $375,740 | 7,340 |
| 15 | Massachusetts | $181,600 | +6% | $101,470 | $417,670 | 2,780 |
| 16 | Iowa | $181,520 | +6% | $100,920 | $259,990 | 1,240 |
| 17 | Nebraska | $179,750 | +5% | $68,040 | $265,940 | 790 |
| 18 | Arkansas | $178,930 | +5% | $99,010 | $223,010 | 1,210 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $177,480 | +4% | $99,780 | $341,950 | 500 |
| 20 | Florida | $174,900 | +2% | $98,680 | $314,860 | 9,320 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $171,330 | 0% | $77,920 | $349,780 | 2,980 |
| 22 | Louisiana | $170,750 | 0% | $80,530 | $309,360 | 1,500 |
| 23 | West Virginia | $170,370 | 0% | $96,270 | $362,930 | 420 |
| 24 | Michigan | $169,930 | −1% | $109,960 | $303,980 | 3,620 |
| 25 | Washington | $169,730 | −1% | $85,240 | $346,840 | 3,240 |
| 26 | Maryland | $168,500 | −1% | $107,880 | $254,820 | 2,100 |
| 27 | Hawaii | $167,820 | −2% | $83,310 | $416,000 | 830 |
| 28 | Ohio | $167,410 | −2% | $64,910 | $316,970 | 2,790 |
| 29 | Montana | $167,200 | −2% | $63,710 | $230,580 | 380 |
| 30 | Indiana | $166,650 | −3% | $81,370 | $327,980 | 2,300 |
| 31 | Colorado | $166,240 | −3% | $84,590 | $229,070 | 2,940 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $166,170 | −3% | $97,290 | $346,890 | 980 |
| 33 | California | $165,950 | −3% | $74,510 | $272,730 | 16,770 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | $163,390 | −4% | $65,520 | $316,950 | 4,460 |
| 35 | Texas | $162,360 | −5% | $83,990 | $308,220 | 8,920 |
| 36 | Nevada | $162,200 | −5% | $99,600 | $262,350 | 1,100 |
| 37 | Rhode Island | $161,560 | −5% | $103,490 | $240,650 | 360 |
| 38 | Connecticut | $160,440 | −6% | $89,430 | $362,870 | 1,950 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $158,640 | −7% | $96,920 | $310,840 | 2,140 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $158,140 | −7% | $94,560 | $250,780 | 390 |
| 41 | Illinois | $156,110 | −9% | $123,920 | $291,530 | 6,940 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $155,260 | −9% | $101,180 | $306,320 | 780 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $143,660 | −16% | $59,700 | $240,450 | 740 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $134,160 | −22% | $44,820 | $344,040 | 790 |
| 45 | Utah | $133,320 | −22% | $84,020 | $222,820 | 1,020 |
| 46 | Idaho | $124,190 | −27% | $91,070 | $203,610 | 650 |
| 47 | Wyoming | $123,830 | −28% | $71,150 | $235,090 | 240 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Dentists (General) salary questions
Which state pays dentists (general) the most?
Alaska, with a median of $230,990 a year (+35% vs. the national median of $170,950). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays dentists (general) the least?
Wyoming, with a median of $123,830 a year (−28% vs. national).
Where do most dentists (general) work?
California has the most jobs, about 16,770, with a median of $165,950.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.