Dentist Salary 2025: How Much Do Dentists Make by State & Practice Type

Dentistry has long been viewed as a lucrative healthcare profession, but exactly how much do dentists earn in 2025? General dentists provide the foundational oral healthcare that millions rely on, and their compensation can vary widely. From solo private practitioners to dentists working in corporate dental chains, income levels differ based on practice setting, location, and even specialization. In this article, we’ll review recent salary data for general dentists, compare earnings by practice type (dentist-owned vs. corporate/DSO vs. private equity-backed), examine regional salary variations, and briefly see how general dentists stack up against specialist dentists like orthodontists and oral surgeons. All data is up-to-date for 2025, drawing on sources like SalaryDr’s physician and dentist salary database, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and other industry surveys. Let’s explore how much dentists really make in 2025.

TL;DR – Dentist Salary 2025

General Dentist Average: $180,000 – $200,000
Highest-Paying State: Vermont – $240,740
Lowest-Paying State: Hawaii – $136,200
Private Practice Owners: ~$695,000 avg
Corporate/DSO Dentists: ~$433,470 avg
Top Specialist: Oral Surgeons – ~$360,000

Source: SalaryDr, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), ADA (2025 data)

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U.S. General Dentist Salary Overview (2025)

How much does the average general dentist earn? According to the latest data in 2025, the typical general dentist in the United States earns around $180,000–$200,000 per year on average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the average annual salary for general dentists is about $196,100 as of 2024. This reflects a slight uptick from the previous year, consistent with modest growth in healthcare salaries nationwide. The BLS median pay for dentists (which accounts for the middle of the wage distribution) is roughly in the upper $170,000s per year. In other words, about half of general dentists earn below ~$180k and half earn above that.

It’s important to note that different sources can report different figures for dentist salaries depending on methodology. For example, the American Dental Association (ADA) found that in 2023, general practice dentists in private practice earned an average of about $218,700 annually. This ADA figure is somewhat higher than the BLS average because it specifically looks at private practitioners’ net incomes (including practice profits) and encompasses only those in practice (excluding some lower-paid categories like new dentists in residency or academia). Meanwhile, SalaryDr’s self-reported data – which gathers anonymous salary submissions from dentists – suggests even higher typical earnings for general dentists, likely because it captures high-earning practice owners and is not constrained by thresholds. Based on SalaryDr’s 2025 dataset, the median annual compensation for general dentists is estimated to be in the range of $160,000 - $190,000. – close to the BLS median. (SalaryDr’s salary explorer, which now includes dentists, indicates that many general dentists report incomes well beyond government survey limits, highlighting the upside potential in this field.) In summary, most general dentists earn comfortable six-figure incomes, but the exact amount varies: roughly $180k at the median per BLS, around $200k+ by some surveys, and potentially much more for those who own thriving practices. Next, we’ll dig into why these numbers vary so much by looking at practice settings and ownership structures.

Pay by Practice Setting (Dentist-Owned vs. Corporate vs. Private Equity)

One of the biggest factors influencing a dentist’s salary is the type of practice or employment arrangement. In dentistry, there are several common practice settings: traditional dentist-owned private practices, corporate dental chains or DSOs (Dental Service Organizations) – many backed by private equity investors – and other settings like academic institutions or public health clinics. Each offers a different compensation model:

Dentist-Owned Private Practice: In a dentist-owned practice (solo or group), the dentist is an owner/partner, meaning they typically earn profits from the business on top of a baseline salary or draw. This category historically has the highest earning potential. According to SalaryDr’s 2025 data, private practice general dentists report an average total compensation of about $695,000 per year (median around $650,000). This figure is higher than the overall median compensation – reflecting that many owners take home substantial profits from their production. In fact, the 75th percentile in private practice is around $849,000, showing that top performers in this setting can earn close to or above seven figures. (By contrast, ADA’s survey of net income for owner dentists showed averages closer to $220k, indicating many smaller practices earn less – the SalaryDr sample likely skews toward larger or very successful practices.)
Corporate Dental (DSO) Employment: Dental Service Organizations, often backed by private equity, employ dentists in a corporate structure. Dentists here are usually paid a salary and/or commissions without having ownership of the practice. DSO-employed general dentists earn less on average than owners, but still strong incomes. SalaryDr data shows corporate/DSO dentists average about $433,470 annually (median roughly $390,000). This is over $200k lower than the private practice average. The pay structure in DSOs often includes a base salary plus bonuses tied to production or collections, but the per-procedure reimbursement rates may be lower and the dentist usually doesn’t directly pocket the profits. The trade-off is that DSOs offer business support, steady patient flow, and less administrative burden. Many new dentists opt for DSOs early in their careers for stability and to avoid managing a business. (Notably, many DSOs are private equity-backed, meaning outside investors own the practice network – in essence, “private equity-backed” and “corporate DSO” often refer to the same employers. Nearly all major DSOs, from Aspen Dental to Heartland Dental, have significant private equity investment in 2025.)
Private Equity Partnerships: Aside from large DSOs, there is a middle ground where a private equity firm partners with a group of dental practices. In these private equity-backed group practices, dentists might retain some ownership stake and share in profits, but an investor provides capital and management. Specific salary data for private equity-backed groups is harder to isolate, as they often overlap with the DSO model. Generally, compensation in these arrangements tends to fall between pure private practice and standard corporate jobs – dentists might receive an upfront payout for selling part of their practice, then continue on a salary with bonus incentives. For example, a dentist who sells to a private equity platform might take a slightly lower annual salary (comparable to a DSO salary) but gain equity that could pay out later. While hard numbers aren’t readily published, anecdotal reports suggest these dentists can still earn in the high-$100k to low-$300k range in salary, plus occasional profit distributions. The overall financial outcome can rival private practice in the long run if the group grows and is resold, but year-to-year salary is usually closer to the DSO level (mid-six figures).
Academic and Public Health Settings: Dentists working as faculty at dental schools, in the military, or in community clinics have the lowest compensation on average. Academic roles often trade lower pay for research and teaching opportunities. For instance, an academic dentist might earn a salary in the low-to-mid $100,000s. SalaryDr notes that academic dentists typically have much lower production, often around $400k–$650k in billings (versus $750k–$1.2M for private practice), which translates to lower salaries. While exact 2025 figures aren’t yet available, academic general dentists’ salaries likely sit in the $120k–$180k range, and community clinic dentists (e.g. public health service) are similarly lower-paid, often between $130k–$170k. These positions, however, may offer other benefits like loan forgiveness, stable hours, or a focus on underserved populations rather than high income.

Average dentist compensation by practice setting based on SalaryDr’s 2025 data. Private practice owner-dentists earn significantly more on average than dentists employed by corporate dental service organizations (DSOs). The financial rewards of practice ownership come with added responsibilities and risks, whereas corporate dentists trade lower pay for more stability and less admin overhead.

As the chart above illustrates, the gap between dentist-owned practices and corporate settings is substantial. Why such a big difference? In private practice, dentists directly profit from their work after expenses – so a busy owner with high billings and efficient operations can take home very high pay. The SalaryDr data (though based on a self-selected sample) even suggests many owners clearing well over half a million per year in compensation. On the other hand, corporate-employed dentists typically get a fixed salary plus bonus, with the corporation (and its investors) keeping a share of profits. It’s also worth noting that associates working in someone else’s private practice (not as an owner) often earn similarly to DSO dentists. For example, a new general dentist working as an employee in a private office might earn a percentage of production that ends up around $140k–$200k in their first years – comparable to many DSO positions. In contrast, if that dentist eventually buys a practice or becomes a partner, their income could rise dramatically as they begin to reap profits, not just a salary.

In summary, general dentists who own their practice have the highest earning potential, often double or more the salary of an employed dentist. Dentists in corporate or private equity-backed groups earn comfortable six-figure incomes, though generally lower than owners. And those in academic or public service roles earn the least but may prioritize other aspects of the job over salary. Next, we will see how location influences dentist pay, as regional differences can be as large as practice-type differences.

Dentist Salary by State

Just as in many professions, where a dentist practices geographically can significantly impact their earnings. The cost of living, local demand for dental services, competition, and reimbursement rates all vary by region and state. In 2025, data shows a wide range of average salaries for general dentists across different states – with some surprising highs and lows:

Highest-Paying States: Some of the top-paying areas for general dentists are in smaller or less densely populated states. According to BLS data (reported in a 2025 Becker’s Dental Review analysis), Vermont leads the nation with an average general dentist salary of about $240,740 per year. Other high-paying states include North Dakota and Minnesota (both around $224k), as well as Delaware (~$229k) and Maine (~$224k). These states often have fewer dentists relative to the population (creating higher demand) or offer higher pay to attract providers to more rural areas. For instance, North Dakota’s generous pay reflects the need to entice dentists to its rural communities. Similarly, Delaware and Vermont may pay more to compete with nearby states for talent.
Lowest-Paying States: On the other end, the lowest average dentist salaries are found in states like Hawaii and Mississippi. Hawaii’s general dentists earn around $136,200 on average, the lowest in the country. Mississippi is also low at roughly $143,000. Other states at the lower end include Nevada (~$146k), Utah (~$149k), and Wyoming (~$154k). In some of these places, the cost of living and reimbursement rates are lower. Hawaii, despite its high cost of living, has an oversupply of dentists in certain areas and many may work in lower-paying clinics or accept lower insurance reimbursements to live in a desirable location – hence the lower average pay. In Mississippi and other parts of the rural South, dental fees tend to be lower (reflecting the local economy), and there may be budget constraints in communities that affect how much patients can pay or insurers reimburse, leading to lower dentist incomes.
Regional Patterns: Broadly, dentists in the Northeast and Upper Midwest appear to have higher average salaries, whereas those in parts of the South and West have lower averages. For example, many Northeastern states (Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts) report dentist pay well above $180k–$200k, while some Southeastern states (Alabama, Louisiana) and Western states (New Mexico, Arizona) cluster closer to the $170k–$190k range. However, the pattern isn’t absolute – there are high-paying pockets in the South (e.g. Delaware and Maryland) and some lower-paying pockets in the West (like Hawaii and Nevada). Urban vs. rural dynamics also play a role. Urban areas often have more dentists and slightly lower average pay (due to competition), unless the cost of living forces salaries higher. Rural areas might offer higher pay or bonuses to attract dentists, but only if the local economy supports it. For instance, a rural town might offer to pay a general dentist well above the national average to serve the community, sometimes supplemented by state programs or loan repayment incentives.

Overall, the national range for general dentist salaries by state spans from roughly $136k at the low end (Hawaii) to about $240k at the high end (Vermont). Most states cluster around the $180k–$210k mark for average pay. Dentists should be aware that relocating can impact their income – sometimes dramatically. High-paying states often coincide with either higher costs of living (e.g. Northeast) or specific workforce shortages (e.g. rural states), whereas lower-paying areas might be saturated markets or lower-cost regions. When evaluating a job offer, dentists must consider how far a salary will go in that region (for example, $150k in Mississippi may stretch further than $200k in New York City).

It’s also worth noting that the SalaryDr dataset for dentists will eventually allow filtering by state to see more granular differences. As of now, with a growing number of submissions, SalaryDr’s early data suggests similar trends – with some states like Texas and California having many high-earning dentists reported (due to large populations), and others like Florida showing more moderate compensation on average. However, because SalaryDr’s data is self-reported and can include more high-earning outliers, it might show even greater ranges within states (for example, a few California dentists reporting $500k+ incomes in private practice, versus others in the same state making $150k as employees). These nuances remind us that viewing dentist salary data by state provides a broad picture, but individual circumstances (practice type, specialty, experience) still dominate one’s earning potential.

General Dentists vs. Specialists: Who Earns More?

So far, we’ve focused on general dentists – professionals who perform a wide range of dental care (exams, fillings, root canals, etc.) for the general population. But dentistry also includes specialists such as orthodontists, endodontists, periodontists, prosthodontists, pediatric dentists, and oral & maxillofacial surgeons. These specialists undergo additional training and limit their practice to specific areas (for example, orthodontists straighten teeth, oral surgeons perform complex surgeries, etc.). How do their salaries compare in 2025?

In general, dental specialists earn more than general dentists, often considerably more. According to BLS data, two of the highest-paying dental specialties are oral and maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics:

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (who perform surgeries such as wisdom tooth extractions, jaw surgeries, implant placements, and more) have an average annual salary around $360,000. This makes oral surgeons some of the top earners in the dental field – roughly 80% higher than a general dentist’s average. Many oral surgeons have medical degrees as well (MD/DDS dual degrees) and their work overlaps with medical procedures, which partially explains the higher pay. They also often handle emergencies and complex cases that command higher fees.
Orthodontists (who specialize in teeth alignment and braces) earn an average of about $254,600 per year. That’s approximately $60k+ more than the average general dentist. Orthodontists typically run high-throughput practices (seeing many patients for periodic adjustments) and the cosmetic and long-term health benefits of braces allow them to charge premium fees. In 2025, demand for clear aligners and orthodontic treatment remains strong, keeping earnings high.
Other Specialists: Prosthodontists (who focus on complex dental prosthetics like dentures, bridges, and implants) also earn high incomes, averaging around $258,660 per BLS data. Endodontists (root canal specialists) and Periodontists (gum disease and implant specialists) are categorized under “all other specialist dentists” by BLS, with an average around $246,500. These figures indicate that endodontists/periodontists usually outearn general dentists as well, likely falling in the $250k range on average. Pediatric dentists, who treat children, often earn closer to general dentist ranges or slightly above, since pediatric dentistry can involve high volume but lower fees per patient (their earnings might be around $200k on average, though specific 2025 data isn’t clearly separated).

To put it simply, a general dentist earning ~$180k is doing well, but a successful specialist might be earning $250k, $300k, or more depending on the specialty. In fact, the highest-paid dentists are typically specialists who both own their practice and have a lucrative specialty. For example, an experienced oral surgeon running a private practice could earn $500,000+ in a busy metropolitan area. This lines up with physician salary data too – many dental specialists earn on par with some medical specialists. (For context, oral surgeons’ ~$360k average is comparable to what an anesthesiologist or dermatologist might make; orthodontists’ ~$255k is similar to an internal medicine subspecialist.)

It’s worth noting that these higher salaries for specialists come after additional years of training (often 2-3 years more for orthodontists, 4-6 years for oral surgeons) and the assumption of running a specialty practice. General dentists have a broader scope and can also increase their income by offering advanced procedures (implants, cosmetic dentistry, etc.) without formal specialist training, in some cases narrowing the gap. But on average, specializing is a path to higher income in dentistry, just as in medicine.

For a general dentist considering the future, it’s useful to know these comparisons: if maximizing income is a top priority, pursuing a specialty or aiming for practice ownership (or both) can significantly boost earning potential. However, each path comes with its own trade-offs in terms of additional training, responsibilities, and lifestyle, which go beyond the scope of this salary-focused discussion.

Conclusion

So, how much do dentists really make in 2025? In summary, general dentists in the U.S. earn a solid six-figure income, with national averages around $180k–$200k and plenty of variation above or below that. SalaryDr’s data underscores that there’s vast earning potential at the high end – especially for those who own their practices – with many general dentists reporting incomes in the half-million-dollar range and beyond. Meanwhile, traditional benchmarks from the BLS and ADA peg the “typical” dentist earnings closer to the low $200-thousands or below, reflecting the majority of dentists who are either employees or owner-dentists of more modest practices.

Key takeaways include:

Practice ownership pays off: Dentist-owned private practices yield the highest salaries on average, often double what an employed dentist might earn. In 2025, an average private practice general dentist earned ~$695k (SalaryDr data) versus ~$433k for a DSO-employed dentist. Not every owner will make that much, but the autonomy and profit-sharing of ownership create potential for very high compensation.
Corporate and PE-backed practices offer good but lower pay: Dentists in corporate settings enjoy stability and fewer management headaches, but their compensation is typically a step down from what they might eventually achieve in private practice. Many see these roles as an entry point or a lifestyle choice (with a steady ~$150k–$300k range common for full-time corporate general dentists).
Location, location, location: Where you practice matters. Dentists in certain states (Vermont, North Dakota, etc.) command averages over $220k, while those in states like Mississippi or Hawaii might average in the $140k–$150k range. Dentists should weigh regional salary differences alongside cost of living and personal preferences when choosing where to work. Often, underserved areas will pay more, and competition-heavy urban markets might restrain dentist fees despite higher living costs.
Specialization can boost income: Specialists such as orthodontists and oral surgeons earn significantly more on average than general dentists, often in the $250k–$350k+ range. However, general dentists can still thrive financially, especially by expanding skills or procedures, and they avoid the extra years of training specialists must invest.

In conclusion, dentistry remains a financially rewarding career in 2025, but the phrase “it depends” truly applies when talking about a dentist’s salary. A newly minted general dentist joining a DSO in the Midwest might make around $150,000 in their first year, while a seasoned general dentist who owns multiple practices could clear well over $500,000 annually. By understanding the factors of practice setting, region, and specialty, dentists and dental students can better gauge their potential earnings and make informed career decisions. The good news is that across the board, dentistry offers a comfortable income that reflects the high level of skill and training required – and with the right choices, the upper end of the pay scale is well within reach for those aiming to maximize their dentist salary in 2025.