What is the average salary of a dentist in USA?
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What is the average salary of a dentist in USA?

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Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on May 24, 2024 11:46 IST

Dentist Salary USA: Dentistry in the USA is a high-paying profession and those who complete their degree in USA with a license are allowed to practice. The average Dentist's income in USA was around USD 159,500 annually. Dentist pay in USA is higher than in other leading countries like Canada and UK. 

dentist salary in usa

The salary of Dentist in USA is high because it is a STEM education course, plus two of its specialisations are in high demand thus, they are well paid too. Being a Dentist in USA and studying in US has its perks and one of them is having a good income because the average salaries of doctors in US are high. Get all the necessary details on Dentist salary in USA in this article. 

Dentist Salary USA Highlights 2023

Median Salary 

USD 159,530

Mean Salary

USD 167,160

Highest Salary

USD 240,000 

Lowest Salary

USD 71,000

Employment Projection

6% by 2031

Current Unemployment Rate

0.5% (2022)

Top Paying US States 

Delaware, Oregon, New Hampshire, etc.

Why is the Income of Dentist in USA High?

There are a couple of reasons why the income of dentist in USA is high, one is because it is a professional medical course. Second, it is high on ROI. The other reasons are as follows:

  • Dentistry ranks #4 in ‘Best Healthcare Jobs in USA’ based on US News & World Report Rankings 2023. 
  • Since Dentistry falls into the STEM courses category, the salary of Dentists in US automatically goes up. Dentist ranks #8 under ‘Best STEM Jobs’ as per US News & World Report Rankings 2023.
  • Dentists in US are in high demand, and the average dentist’s salary in USA is higher. Hence, the job of Dentistry ranks in the top 10 at #10th position based on the ‘100 Best Jobs in USA’ as per US News & World Report Rankings 2023.
  • Dentist is one of the highest-paid jobs in USA apart from its specialisations like - Orthodontist and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. In the order of rankings by US News & World Report for the category ‘Best Paying Jobs in USA 2023’, Dentist ranks at #11, Orthodontist ranks at #8 and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon ranks at #2.

Thus, with this kind of rankings and recognition, it can be concluded as to why the income of dentists in USA is on the higher side. 

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Check: Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in USA

Dentist Salary USA - 2021 vs 2022

Before discussing in detail about the average salary of Dentist in US, let us check out the data below based on the past two years: 

Parameters 

Dentist Salary in 2021

Dentist Salary 2022

Median Salary

USD 160,370

USD 159,530

Best Paid 25%

USD 208,000

USD 239,200

Lowest Paid 25%

USD 101,570

USD 71,460

From the above-given data, it can be noted that media salary has dipped by almost 5% in the year 2022 but the highest salary has touched the 12% increase mark. Thus, the salary of Dentists in USA is not meagre, rather they earn well. The highest paid Dentists are those who specialise in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 








Top 10 Paid Specialisations of Dentistry in USA

Check out the top 10 Dentistry specialisations in USA in the table below along with the average annual salaries and also salaries per month:

Dentistry Specialisations

Average Salary of Dentists in US (Annual)

Dentist Salary in US per month

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

USD 311,460

USD 25,955

Endodontist

USD 285,849

USD 23,821

Prosthodontist

USD 172,650

USD 14,388

Periodontist

USD 296,455

USD 24,705

Pediatric Dentist 

USD 190,434

USD 15,870

Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics

USD 208,000

USD 17,333

Dental Anaesthesiology

USD 393,215

USD 32,676

Dental Public Health

USD 189,979

USD 15,832

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

USD 205,936

USD 17,161

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

USD 100,105

USD 8,342

Please note, that the Dentist salary in US per month and annually are subject to change based on market value and current exchange rates. Thus, this is the most recent salary data available for students’ reference. 







Average Dentist Income USA Geographically

Check out the states and cities where Dentists’ pay in USA is the highest after they begin practising. 

Top 5 Highest Paying US States for Dentists 

The average Dentist's salary in USA ranges between USD 197,900 - USD 233,860. These average salaries of Dentist in USA are the highest in the following US states:  

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  • Delaware: USD 233,860
  • New Hampshire: USD 225,140
  • Oregon: USD 207,370
  • Rhode Island: USD 206,600
  • Connecticut: USD 197,910

(Source: US News)

Top 5 Highest Paying US Cities for Dentists 

Based on the metropolitan city data, the following US cities are the top paying ones for Dentists based on US News data for 2022:

  • Manchester, New Hampshire: USD 276,510
  • Salinas, California: USD 234,410
  • Vallejo, California: USD 229,800
  • Eugene, Oregon: USD 228,750
  • New Haven, Connecticut: USD 227,390

(Source: US News)

Projected Dentist Job Vacancies in USA by 2031

Based on US Labor Report the Dentistry occupation is set to see a boom by 2031. Around 7,700+ job vacancies will open for those with a degree in Dentistry in the USA. With increasing job vacancies, likely, the average salary of a dentist in US will also increase. Check out the projected job vacancies for Dentists in USA in the following table:

Dentist Occupations in USA 

Employment as of 2022

Expected Employment by 2031

Dentists

155,000

161,800

Dentists (General)

136,700

142,700

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons

4,900

5,100

Orthodontists

7,200

7,500

Prosthodontists

400

500

Other Dentist Specialities

5,800

6,000

Dentists in USA who are employed are recruited across various industries. The average dentist’s income in USA vary with the industry they work in. 

Also check out about: MPH in USA

Top Recruiting Industries in US for Dentists

Dentists are recruited across government and private industries in USA and the salary of Dentist in US depends on the industry in which they are recruited in. Based on the US Labor Report, the average Dentist income in US are as follows industry-wise:

  • Government: USD 190,400
  • Outpatient Care Centers: USD 166,170
  • Office of Physicians: USD 163,800
  • Office of Dentists: USD 159,530 

In order to practice Dentistry in USA should hold a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry/Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Applicants will have to clear the DAT or Dental Admission Test along with the National Board Dental Examination. The license must be obtained to practice speciality in Dentistry as well.

Overall, it can be concluded that salary of Dentist in USA are lucrative and there is a promise of high ROI as well. Admissions to Dentistry courses in USA may be tough but qualifying the degree and being able to practice in USA with licensure is worth the effort. If you have more queries, you can shoot in queries in the comment box below. And for admission-related queries, sign up for free Shiksha Abroad Counselling and request a call back from our expert counsellors.

Q:   What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?

A:

The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.

Q:   What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?

A:

There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.

Q:   Is University of North Dakota good for Indian students?

A:

The University of North Dakota is one of the top choices for international students to pursue their higher education. The UND warmly welcomes its international students as they have contributed a lot to the success of the university. Moreover, the university offers a top-notch environment, the best academic opportunities, technical & career training, etc. The university boasts over 1000 international students who represent more than 95 countries. Additionally, international students highly enjoy the facilities provided by the University of North Dakota. The UND is one of the largest research universities in the United States for international students.

Q:   Is Texas Wesleyan hard to get into?

A:

As per the US News and World Report, Texas Wesleyan University acceptance rate is 58%. This shows that the university's admission process is relatively selective. Therefore, some students may find it harder to get into the university. Also, international students are advised to check the minimum eligibility for their courses before applying. Please note that the data on the acceptance rate given above is taken from an unofficial source, therefore, it is subject to vary.

Q:   What is the acceptance rate at University of St Thomas Texas?

A:

The University of St Thomas Texas has an acceptance rate of around 97% according to some unofficial sources, making it less selective for admissions of international students. Some of the general requirements for international applicants are given as follows:

Q:   Is Texas A&M Commerce a good university?

A:

Texas A&M Commerce is regarded as one of the top public universities across the United States. Moreover, the Texas A&M Commerce ranking 2024 under the category of Best Colleges is National Universities is #369. Also, the acceptance rate of this university is 42%. Additionally, the university offers the best academic programs, expert faculty, job & placement, and more. Besides, Texas A&M University-Commerce also offers over 130 academic degrees for its students.

Q:   How to apply for the University of New Mexico as an international student?

A:

University of New Mexico admissions are open for the 2024 intake. International students have the option to apply through the Common app or the official website. Below is the Step 1: The Application Process can be made through the Full Sail University portal. (unm-apply.force.com/apply/)

Step 2: Check your requirements thoroughly and see if your current qualifications are recognised.

Step 3: You should meet the entry requirements checklist before applying:

  • Transcripts of your degree.

  • A minimum score of 6.0 and above in IELTS

  • SOP ( Things you need to know about SOP)

  • LOR ( letter of recommendation, optional)

  • Creative Portfolio ( optional)

  • Resume/ CV ( Optional)

  • Full Sail University Application fee of USD 25

Step 4: Make sure your English requirements meet the standards of the University.

Step 5: You can submit your application after your requirements are ready.

Step 6: The application fee might vary depending on the programs and courses the applicant chooses. However, for MBA the application fee for PG courses is USD 70. If the applicant can’t afford the application fee, they can waive the application fee.

Step 7: After applying, applicants can check their status by logging in with their credentials through the University of New Mexico. 

Q:   Does the University of New Mexico have an application fee?

A:

Yes, the University of New Mexico has an application fee of  USD 25 for UG and USD 70 for PG. This fee is typically non-refundable and covers the cost of processing and viewing the applications. It is important to note that the Application fee differs from the other fees.  However, the application fee might vary depending on the intake, and it’s suggested that students should check the official for more information depending on the course and requirements.

About the Author
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Written by
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert

Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio

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Kalyani
MBA Course in the US

Having Worked as an Academic Manager in Experiential Marketing earlier, Kalyani made her move to the study abroad vertical in 2017.Passionate about education and wanting to make a difference, Kalyani holds a B.Com d... Read Full Bio

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