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Data updated September 2026

General dentists report a median total compensation of $242,500 a year, from 160 approved salary reports.

Salary reports are self-reported and anonymous; each is moderated before it is published. They are not NPI-verified.

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General Dentistry Salary Data

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Explore self-reported general dentistry salary data from 100+ approved reports. Compare total compensation by specialty, state, and practice setting.

Median $242,500100+ reports

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SalaryDr Intelligence

General Dentistry: $243K

Median total compensation from 100+ approved reports.

100+ approved reports•83% would choose again

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Dentist Salary — General Dentistry in All Regions

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Explore self-reported general dentistry salary data from 100+ approved reports. Compare total compensation by specialty, state, and practice setting.

SalaryDr Intelligence

General Dentistry: $243K

Median total compensation from 100+ approved reports.

100+ approved reports•83% would choose again

MEDIAN TOTAL COMP

$242,500

MEDIAN BASE

$200,000

MEDIAN BONUS / INCENTIVE

$50,000

100% received

AVG WORKLOAD

36

hrs/wk

General Dentistry needs more data. Add yours in 2 min.

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Showing 1–20 of 100+ entries

Browse Dentist Salaries by Specialty

Every dental specialty and its salary page

Dentist Salary — General Dentistry in All Regions

Related to General Dentistry

General Dentist

Locations

California·Texas·New York·Florida·Pennsylvania·Ohio·Illinois·Massachusetts·North Carolina·Georgia·Michigan·New Jersey

Explore More

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General Dentist Salaries by State

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Explore general dentist salary data across different states. Click on any state to view detailed compensation information for that location.

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Dental Salary FAQs

Data-driven answers for General Dentistry

Live DataUpdated Sep 2026

How much do dentists make in 2026 in General Dentistry?

The median dentist salary is $242,500 in 2026 in General Dentistry, based on 160 approved salary reports on SalaryDr. The average dentist salary is $256,102, with compensation varying significantly based on specialty, location, experience, and practice setting.

  • Median total compensation: $242,500
  • Average total compensation: $256,102
  • Based on 160 approved salary reports
  • New reports are added as they are approved

What is the base salary vs total compensation for dentists in General Dentistry?

The median base salary for dentists in General Dentistry is $200,000, with median bonuses and incentives adding $50,000. Total compensation ($242,500 median) includes base salary, productivity bonuses, signing bonuses, call pay, and other incentives.

  • Median base salary: $200,000
  • Median bonuses/incentives: $50,000
  • Median total compensation: $242,500
  • Bonus structures vary by employer and productivity metrics

How many hours do dentists work per week in General Dentistry?

Dentists in General Dentistry work an average of 36 hours per week, based on 160 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

Are dentists satisfied with their compensation in General Dentistry?

Dentists in General Dentistry report 70% satisfaction with their careers, and 83% would choose their specialty again. Satisfaction varies by practice setting, work-life balance, and compensation relative to workload.

  • Career satisfaction: 70%
  • Would choose specialty again: 83%
  • Satisfaction influenced by autonomy and work-life balance
  • Private practice often reports higher satisfaction

Should dentists work as 1099 contractors or W-2 employees?

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.

  • 1099: Higher day rates, but 15.3% self-employment tax
  • W-2: Lower gross, but employer pays half of payroll taxes
  • Consider health insurance costs ($15,000-$25,000/year)
  • Retirement matching can add $20,000+ in W-2 value

What is the take-home pay for a dentist earning $242,500?

A dentist earning $242,500 gross typically takes home $150,350-$174,600 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.

  • Gross salary: $242,500
  • Estimated take-home: $150,350-$174,600
  • State tax impact varies by 0-13%
  • Tax-advantaged accounts reduce effective rate

How is dentist salary data on SalaryDr collected?

SalaryDr salary data comes from 160 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.

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

Help improve salary transparency

Your anonymous submission helps dental professionals negotiate fair compensation.

Submit Your Salary

Dental Salary FAQs

Data-driven answers for General Dentistry

Live DataUpdated Sep 2026

How much do dentists make in 2026 in General Dentistry?

The median dentist salary is $242,500 in 2026 in General Dentistry, based on 160 approved salary reports on SalaryDr. The average dentist salary is $256,102, with compensation varying significantly based on specialty, location, experience, and practice setting.

  • Median total compensation: $242,500
  • Average total compensation: $256,102
  • Based on 160 approved salary reports
  • New reports are added as they are approved

What is the base salary vs total compensation for dentists in General Dentistry?

The median base salary for dentists in General Dentistry is $200,000, with median bonuses and incentives adding $50,000. Total compensation ($242,500 median) includes base salary, productivity bonuses, signing bonuses, call pay, and other incentives.

  • Median base salary: $200,000
  • Median bonuses/incentives: $50,000
  • Median total compensation: $242,500
  • Bonus structures vary by employer and productivity metrics

How many hours do dentists work per week in General Dentistry?

Dentists in General Dentistry work an average of 36 hours per week, based on 160 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

Are dentists satisfied with their compensation in General Dentistry?

Dentists in General Dentistry report 70% satisfaction with their careers, and 83% would choose their specialty again. Satisfaction varies by practice setting, work-life balance, and compensation relative to workload.

  • Career satisfaction: 70%
  • Would choose specialty again: 83%
  • Satisfaction influenced by autonomy and work-life balance
  • Private practice often reports higher satisfaction

Should dentists work as 1099 contractors or W-2 employees?

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.

  • 1099: Higher day rates, but 15.3% self-employment tax
  • W-2: Lower gross, but employer pays half of payroll taxes
  • Consider health insurance costs ($15,000-$25,000/year)
  • Retirement matching can add $20,000+ in W-2 value

What is the take-home pay for a dentist earning $242,500?

A dentist earning $242,500 gross typically takes home $150,350-$174,600 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.

  • Gross salary: $242,500
  • Estimated take-home: $150,350-$174,600
  • State tax impact varies by 0-13%
  • Tax-advantaged accounts reduce effective rate

How is dentist salary data on SalaryDr collected?

SalaryDr salary data comes from 160 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.

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

Help improve salary transparency

Your anonymous submission helps dental professionals negotiate fair compensation.

Submit Your Salary