Dentist Salary Explorer

The median dentist salary is $289,000 in 2026, based on 200+ approved salary reports on SalaryDr. The average dentist salary is $410,941, with compensation varying significantly based on specialty, location, experience, and practice setting.

• Median total compensation: $289,000
• Average total compensation: $410,941
• Based on 200+ approved salary reports
• New reports are added as they are approved

The median base salary for dentists is $245,000, with median bonuses and incentives adding $57,500. Total compensation ($289,000 median) includes base salary, productivity bonuses, signing bonuses, call pay, and other incentives.

• Median base salary: $245,000
• Median bonuses/incentives: $57,500
• Median total compensation: $289,000
• Bonus structures vary by employer and productivity metrics

Dentists work an average of 36 hours per week, based on 200+ approved salary reports. This includes clinical hours, administrative duties, charting, and call responsibilities. Work hours vary significantly by specialty and practice setting.

• Average weekly hours: 36
• Hours vary significantly by specialty and setting
• Includes clinical, administrative, and on-call time
• Part-time and locums arrangements offer flexibility

Dentists report 74% satisfaction with their careers, and 86% would choose their specialty again. Satisfaction varies by practice setting, work-life balance, and compensation relative to workload.

• Career satisfaction: 74%
• Would choose specialty again: 86%
• Satisfaction influenced by autonomy and work-life balance

SalaryDr salary data comes from 200+ anonymous, self-reported salary reports from dentists across the United States. Each report is moderated before it is published; reports are not NPI-verified. Each includes total compensation, base salary, bonuses, specialty, location, practice setting, and years of experience. New reports are added as they are approved, and outliers are handled statistically.

• 200+ approved salary reports
• Anonymous data from practicing professionals
• Includes base, bonuses, location, and setting
• Moderated before publication, with statistical outlier handling

The median dentist salary is $289,000 in 2026, based on 200+ approved salary reports on SalaryDr. The average dentist salary is $410,941, with compensation varying significantly based on specialty, location, experience, and practice setting.

• Median total compensation: $289,000
• Average total compensation: $410,941
• Based on 200+ approved salary reports
• New reports are added as they are approved

The median base salary for dentists is $245,000, with median bonuses and incentives adding $57,500. Total compensation ($289,000 median) includes base salary, productivity bonuses, signing bonuses, call pay, and other incentives.

• Median base salary: $245,000
• Median bonuses/incentives: $57,500
• Median total compensation: $289,000
• Bonus structures vary by employer and productivity metrics

Dentists work an average of 36 hours per week, based on 200+ approved salary reports. This includes clinical hours, administrative duties, charting, and call responsibilities. Work hours vary significantly by specialty and practice setting.

• Average weekly hours: 36
• Hours vary significantly by specialty and setting
• Includes clinical, administrative, and on-call time
• Part-time and locums arrangements offer flexibility

Dentists report 74% satisfaction with their careers, and 86% would choose their specialty again. Satisfaction varies by practice setting, work-life balance, and compensation relative to workload.

• Career satisfaction: 74%
• Would choose specialty again: 86%
• Satisfaction influenced by autonomy and work-life balance

SalaryDr salary data comes from 200+ anonymous, self-reported salary reports from dentists across the United States. Each report is moderated before it is published; reports are not NPI-verified. Each includes total compensation, base salary, bonuses, specialty, location, practice setting, and years of experience. New reports are added as they are approved, and outliers are handled statistically.

• 200+ approved salary reports
• Anonymous data from practicing professionals
• Includes base, bonuses, location, and setting
• Moderated before publication, with statistical outlier handling