The median dentist salary is $250,000 in 2026 in General Dentistry in California, based on 18 approved salary reports on SalaryDr. The average dentist salary is $285,000, with compensation varying significantly based on specialty, location, experience, and practice setting.

• Median total compensation: $250,000
• Average total compensation: $285,000
• Based on 18 approved salary reports
• New reports are added as they are approved

Dentists in General Dentistry in California work an average of 34 hours per week, based on 18 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: 34
• Hours vary significantly by specialty and setting
• Includes clinical, administrative, and on-call time
• Part-time and locums arrangements offer flexibility

Dentists in General Dentistry in California report 64% satisfaction with their careers, and 56% would choose their specialty again. Satisfaction varies by practice setting, work-life balance, and compensation relative to workload.

• Career satisfaction: 64%
• Would choose specialty again: 56%
• Satisfaction influenced by autonomy and work-life balance

SalaryDr salary data comes from 18 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.

• 18 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 $250,000 in 2026 in General Dentistry in California, based on 18 approved salary reports on SalaryDr. The average dentist salary is $285,000, with compensation varying significantly based on specialty, location, experience, and practice setting.

• Median total compensation: $250,000
• Average total compensation: $285,000
• Based on 18 approved salary reports
• New reports are added as they are approved

Dentists in General Dentistry in California work an average of 34 hours per week, based on 18 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: 34
• Hours vary significantly by specialty and setting
• Includes clinical, administrative, and on-call time
• Part-time and locums arrangements offer flexibility

Dentists in General Dentistry in California report 64% satisfaction with their careers, and 56% would choose their specialty again. Satisfaction varies by practice setting, work-life balance, and compensation relative to workload.

• Career satisfaction: 64%
• Would choose specialty again: 56%
• Satisfaction influenced by autonomy and work-life balance

SalaryDr salary data comes from 18 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.

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