Source: SalaryDr salary data (N=191 verified submissions, updated July 14, 2026, data as of 2026-07-14). URL: https://www.salarydr.com
Explore verified dentist salary data from 100+ submissions. Compare total compensation by specialty, state, and practice setting.
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MEDIAN TOTAL COMP
$275,000
AVERAGE BASE
$212,000
AVG BONUS / INCENTIVE
$50,000
100% received
AVG WORKLOAD
36
hrs/wkModel: daily_guarantee
What could be improved
“Must include metrics in the Employment Agreement, based upon number of Look at New Patients, Production and Collections per month and annually. The Associate cannot earn income (nor can the business) without adequate patient inflow and proper admin handling of the patients. ”
Work-life balance
“The owner claims the practice is a "private and mostly FFS entity." But still has agreements with many insurance plans and in house "Membership Plan" both of which greatly reduce the income to the doctor. Clinic days are very unproductive. Practice is hygiene oriented practice, with poor marketing. I was promised a much higher daily compensation by month 2, with my skill set, which includes GPR, Mastership in Implantology and Orthodontics, Full Mouth Reconstruction with C & B and Implants, molar Endo, Surgical and 3rd Molar Extractions and many other skills and awards including Texas Dentist of the Year and more. Admin load too high, huge amount of income lost due to poorly trained and inadequate number of admin staff. Burn out risk is very high. I have started and owned multiple Private All FFS offices. I have spent $100,000's on learning how to have a very successful and high income dental practice. And have Collected personally, over $1M annually since 2000. (ran out of space)”
Model: salary
Model: percent_collections
Model: percent_production
Model: hybrid
Health Insurance
Model: percent_collections
Health Insurance · Vision Insurance · 401k/403b (3% match) · CME $1,000/yr · Malpractice Coverage
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Real answers powered by 0+ verified salary submissions
The median dentist salary is $275,000 in 2026, based on 0+ verified salary submissions on SalaryDr. The average dentist salary is $382,839, with compensation varying significantly based on specialty, location, experience, and practice setting.
The median base salary for dentists is $212,000, with median bonuses and incentives adding $50,000. Total compensation ($275,000 median) includes base salary, productivity bonuses, signing bonuses, call pay, and other incentives.
Dentists work an average of 36 hours per week, based on 0+ verified submissions. This includes clinical hours, administrative duties, charting, and call responsibilities. Work hours vary significantly by specialty and practice setting.
Dentists report 74% satisfaction with their careers, and 85% would choose their specialty again. Satisfaction varies by practice setting, work-life balance, and compensation relative to workload.
Private practice dentists typically earn 15-30% more than hospital-employed counterparts, though with greater income variability and business risk. Based on SalaryDr data, practice owners and partners often reach the top 10% of earners in their specialty. However, employed positions offer more predictable income, benefits, and less administrative burden.
New dentists starting their careers earn $150,000-$200,000 in their first year, depending on specialty and location. Many employers offer signing bonuses of $20,000-$50,000+, relocation assistance, and loan repayment programs. Salaries increase significantly within the first 3-5 years of practice.
1099/locums dentists earn higher gross pay (often 20-40% more per day) but must pay self-employment tax, purchase their own benefits, and manage malpractice tail coverage. W-2 employees receive lower gross pay but benefit from employer-paid taxes, health insurance, retirement matching, and PTO. The net advantage depends on individual circumstances and hours worked.
A dentist earning $275,000 gross typically takes home $170,500-$198,000 after federal taxes, state taxes (varies 0-13%), and deductions. High-income strategies like maximizing 401(k), HSA, backdoor Roth IRA, and practice-specific deductions can improve take-home significantly.
SalaryDr salary data comes from 0+ anonymous submissions from verified dentists across the United States. Each submission includes total compensation, base salary, bonuses, specialty, location, practice setting, and years of experience. Data is updated in real-time and outliers are handled statistically to ensure accuracy.
Help improve salary transparency
Your anonymous submission helps dental professionals negotiate fair compensation.
Real answers powered by 0+ verified salary submissions
The median dentist salary is $275,000 in 2026, based on 0+ verified salary submissions on SalaryDr. The average dentist salary is $382,839, with compensation varying significantly based on specialty, location, experience, and practice setting.
The median base salary for dentists is $212,000, with median bonuses and incentives adding $50,000. Total compensation ($275,000 median) includes base salary, productivity bonuses, signing bonuses, call pay, and other incentives.
Dentists work an average of 36 hours per week, based on 0+ verified submissions. This includes clinical hours, administrative duties, charting, and call responsibilities. Work hours vary significantly by specialty and practice setting.
Dentists report 74% satisfaction with their careers, and 85% would choose their specialty again. Satisfaction varies by practice setting, work-life balance, and compensation relative to workload.
Private practice dentists typically earn 15-30% more than hospital-employed counterparts, though with greater income variability and business risk. Based on SalaryDr data, practice owners and partners often reach the top 10% of earners in their specialty. However, employed positions offer more predictable income, benefits, and less administrative burden.
New dentists starting their careers earn $150,000-$200,000 in their first year, depending on specialty and location. Many employers offer signing bonuses of $20,000-$50,000+, relocation assistance, and loan repayment programs. Salaries increase significantly within the first 3-5 years of practice.
1099/locums dentists earn higher gross pay (often 20-40% more per day) but must pay self-employment tax, purchase their own benefits, and manage malpractice tail coverage. W-2 employees receive lower gross pay but benefit from employer-paid taxes, health insurance, retirement matching, and PTO. The net advantage depends on individual circumstances and hours worked.
A dentist earning $275,000 gross typically takes home $170,500-$198,000 after federal taxes, state taxes (varies 0-13%), and deductions. High-income strategies like maximizing 401(k), HSA, backdoor Roth IRA, and practice-specific deductions can improve take-home significantly.
SalaryDr salary data comes from 0+ anonymous submissions from verified dentists across the United States. Each submission includes total compensation, base salary, bonuses, specialty, location, practice setting, and years of experience. Data is updated in real-time and outliers are handled statistically to ensure accuracy.
Help improve salary transparency
Your anonymous submission helps dental professionals negotiate fair compensation.