Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Dentists, general (SOC 29-1021) employed 124,390 people in May 2025. The median pay is $170,950 a year ($82.19 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $86,250 and the highest-paid 10% more than $319,630. BLS projects its employment to change by +5.7% between 2025 and 2035 (about 4,200 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Doctoral or professional degree.
Highest median pay: Alaska ($230,990), North Dakota ($220,660), Minnesota ($219,200). Most jobs: California (16,770), Florida (9,320), Texas (8,920).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,250 | $41.47 |
| 25th percentile | $125,710 | $60.44 |
| Median | $170,950 | $82.19 |
| Mean | $191,350 | $92.00 |
| 75th percentile | $224,040 | $107.71 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $319,630 | $153.67 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 141,900 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 150,000 |
| Change in jobs | 8,100 |
| Percent change | +5.7% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 4,200 |
| Self-employed share | 12.4% |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 310 | 1.18 | $230,990 | $124,200 | $320,440 | +35% | 8% |
| Arizona | 3,470 | 1.34 | $194,180 | $62,230 | $336,320 | +14% | 10% |
| Arkansas | 1,210 | 1.16 | $178,930 | $99,010 | $223,010 | +5% | 7% |
| California | 16,770 | 1.15 | $165,950 | $74,510 | $272,730 | -3% | 15% |
| Colorado | 2,940 | 1.28 | $166,240 | $84,590 | $229,070 | -3% | 13% |
| Connecticut | 1,950 | 1.44 | $160,440 | $89,430 | $362,870 | -6% | 12% |
| Delaware | 390 | 1.01 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| District of Columbia | 340 | 0.61 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Florida | 9,320 | 1.17 | $174,900 | $98,680 | $314,860 | +2% | 12% |
| Georgia | 2,620 | 0.67 | $206,760 | $93,590 | $373,420 | +21% | 9% |
| Hawaii | 830 | 1.66 | $167,820 | $83,310 | $416,000 | -2% | 14% |
| Idaho | 650 | 0.94 | $124,190 | $91,070 | $203,610 | -27% | 13% |
| Illinois | 6,940 | 1.42 | $156,110 | $123,920 | $291,530 | -9% | 10% |
| Indiana | 2,300 | 0.90 | $166,650 | $81,370 | $327,980 | -3% | 8% |
| Iowa | 1,240 | 0.99 | $181,520 | $100,920 | $259,990 | +6% | 6% |
| Kentucky | 790 | 0.49 | $134,160 | $44,820 | $344,040 | -22% | 9% |
| Louisiana | 1,500 | 0.97 | $170,750 | $80,530 | $309,360 | -0% | 7% |
| Maine | 310 | 0.60 | $209,200 | $152,740 | $385,460 | +22% | 7% |
| Maryland | 2,100 | 0.95 | $168,500 | $107,880 | $254,820 | -1% | 12% |
| Massachusetts | 2,780 | 0.96 | $181,600 | $101,470 | $417,670 | +6% | 12% |
| Michigan | 3,620 | 1.03 | $169,930 | $109,960 | $303,980 | -1% | 8% |
| Minnesota | 2,370 | 1.01 | $219,200 | $132,930 | $226,940 | +28% | 7% |
| Mississippi | 740 | 0.80 | $143,660 | $59,700 | $240,450 | -16% | 8% |
| Missouri | 2,440 | 1.04 | $204,960 | $95,610 | $427,970 | +20% | 6% |
| Montana | 380 | 0.94 | $167,200 | $63,710 | $230,580 | -2% | 8% |
| Nebraska | 790 | 0.97 | $179,750 | $68,040 | $265,940 | +5% | 7% |
| Nevada | 1,100 | 0.88 | $162,200 | $99,600 | $262,350 | -5% | 13% |
| New Hampshire | 500 | 0.91 | $177,480 | $99,780 | $341,950 | +4% | 11% |
| New Jersey | 2,980 | 0.87 | $171,330 | $77,920 | $349,780 | +0% | 13% |
| New Mexico | 780 | 1.12 | $155,260 | $101,180 | $306,320 | -9% | 9% |
| New York | 7,340 | 0.95 | $183,060 | $75,410 | $375,740 | +7% | 11% |
| North Carolina | 4,140 | 1.05 | $207,000 | $107,810 | $337,630 | +21% | 8% |
| North Dakota | 260 | 0.76 | $220,660 | $138,570 | $308,040 | +29% | 5% |
| Ohio | 2,790 | 0.63 | $167,410 | $64,910 | $316,970 | -2% | 8% |
| Oklahoma | 980 | 0.72 | $166,170 | $97,290 | $346,890 | -3% | 8% |
| Oregon | 1,660 | 1.05 | $211,690 | $143,990 | $353,310 | +24% | 9% |
| Pennsylvania | 4,460 | 0.92 | $163,390 | $65,520 | $316,950 | -4% | 9% |
| Rhode Island | 360 | 0.91 | $161,560 | $103,490 | $240,650 | -5% | 11% |
| South Carolina | 2,140 | 1.16 | $158,640 | $96,920 | $310,840 | -7% | 10% |
| South Dakota | 390 | 1.05 | $158,140 | $94,560 | $250,780 | -7% | 8% |
| Tennessee | 2,200 | 0.84 | $215,290 | $84,360 | $311,900 | +26% | 7% |
| Texas | 8,920 | 0.79 | $162,360 | $83,990 | $308,220 | -5% | 11% |
| Utah | 1,020 | 0.73 | $133,320 | $84,020 | $222,820 | -22% | 14% |
| Vermont | 240 | 1.00 | $204,960 | $112,490 | $326,360 | +20% | 8% |
| Virginia | 4,140 | 1.26 | $197,110 | $105,400 | $321,250 | +15% | 10% |
| Washington | 3,240 | 1.14 | $169,730 | $85,240 | $346,840 | -1% | 13% |
| West Virginia | 420 | 0.75 | $170,370 | $96,270 | $362,930 | -0% | 6% |
| Wisconsin | 2,560 | 1.09 | $193,690 | $121,780 | $306,370 | +13% | 7% |
| Wyoming | 240 | 1.06 | $123,830 | $71,150 | $235,090 | -28% | 10% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | 450 | $241,850 | $125,990 | $313,210 | 1.67 |
| Columbia, SC | 480 | $228,820 | $104,860 | $310,840 | 1.53 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 1,710 | $222,690 | $93,590 | $373,420 | 0.74 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 1,760 | $219,980 | $130,800 | $227,640 | 1.13 |
| Richmond, VA | 650 | $218,880 | $128,340 | $308,250 | 1.23 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 1,170 | $215,290 | $128,100 | $340,780 | 1.33 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 1,320 | $212,300 | $98,110 | $299,710 | 1.17 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 1,250 | $210,430 | $96,300 | $559,260 | 1.17 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 990 | $209,440 | $140,300 | $373,870 | 1.02 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 360 | $209,300 | $137,870 | $259,990 | 1.11 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,130 | $207,910 | $124,470 | $294,290 | 1.24 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 1,000 | $207,380 | $132,880 | $378,960 | 1.69 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 380 | $206,100 | $66,680 | $378,600 | 0.43 |
| Worcester, MA | 320 | $202,110 | $108,850 | $452,140 | 1.15 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 2,090 | $202,060 | $119,750 | $322,930 | 1.10 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 2,700 | $194,180 | $62,230 | $336,950 | 1.42 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 320 | $193,780 | $127,060 | $422,040 | 0.90 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 7,240 | $190,010 | $75,680 | $367,140 | 0.95 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 1,140 | $189,220 | $103,490 | $312,000 | 1.05 |
| Fresno, CA | 340 | $188,510 | $107,990 | $285,670 | 0.90 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 820 | $188,190 | $129,650 | $337,660 | 0.79 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 440 | $187,400 | $58,580 | $263,450 | 1.11 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 430 | $185,430 | $73,240 | $318,180 | 1.30 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 3,040 | $184,540 | $105,610 | $324,370 | 1.21 |
| Tucson, AZ | 330 | $182,200 | $86,950 | $267,980 | 1.04 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 1,920 | $181,150 | $95,550 | $370,580 | 0.89 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 740 | $180,440 | $123,660 | $356,220 | 2.28 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 2,890 | $179,990 | $134,260 | $304,130 | 0.89 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | 410 | $179,940 | $124,990 | $223,010 | 1.86 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 310 | $178,150 | $80,900 | $283,690 | 1.20 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 720 | $177,400 | $106,470 | $298,950 | 1.18 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | 490 | $173,160 | $96,910 | $314,650 | 1.02 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 580 | $172,310 | $95,460 | $326,350 | 1.02 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 3,270 | $172,210 | $91,600 | $314,860 | 1.45 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 880 | $172,110 | $62,090 | $254,820 | 0.81 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 1,070 | $171,690 | $95,610 | $340,330 | 1.22 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 970 | $170,500 | $121,630 | $266,300 | 1.12 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 1,980 | $168,620 | $84,590 | $222,590 | 1.54 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 650 | $168,090 | $71,770 | $416,000 | 1.81 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 1,700 | $167,860 | $121,920 | $283,380 | 1.12 |
| Rochester, NY | 430 | $167,480 | $66,840 | $230,380 | 1.09 |
| Columbus, OH | 780 | $166,180 | $64,100 | $306,960 | 0.88 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 1,020 | $166,120 | $77,540 | $322,760 | 1.15 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 640 | $165,350 | $136,700 | $299,990 | 1.04 |
| Tulsa, OK | 390 | $165,280 | $66,100 | $428,290 | 1.06 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 2,570 | $163,390 | $65,520 | $331,950 | 1.11 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 780 | $162,200 | $99,600 | $262,280 | 0.85 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 690 | $162,140 | $58,940 | $341,560 | 0.76 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 1,920 | $161,270 | $67,870 | $335,210 | 1.15 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 1,290 | $159,270 | $127,630 | $432,060 | 1.11 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 1,710 | $158,160 | $90,600 | $259,320 | 1.39 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 5,910 | $156,100 | $123,920 | $290,850 | 1.64 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 830 | $155,940 | $117,460 | $283,800 | 1.27 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 320 | $155,750 | $109,010 | $416,480 | 1.05 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,050 | $155,250 | $69,990 | $309,220 | 1.18 |
| Cleveland, OH | 470 | $154,800 | $82,790 | $348,910 | 0.57 |
| Albuquerque, NM | 460 | $141,580 | $107,650 | $305,790 | 1.41 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 6,300 | $139,990 | $74,510 | $219,380 | 1.26 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 540 | $139,940 | $51,850 | $318,010 | 1.54 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 510 | $130,510 | $84,020 | $210,360 | 0.77 |
The median is $170,950 a year ($82.19 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $86,250 and the highest-paid tenth over $319,630 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
124,390 in May 2025, and BLS projects +5.7% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS).
Alaska, with a median of $230,990 (among states with published figures).