Dentists in the US earn a median of $170,950 a year in base pay. The middle half earn between $125,710 and $224,040, and the top 10% earn more than $319,630 (BLS OEWS May 2025). To negotiate, aim for the part of that range that matches your experience — with 3–5 years, for example, $171,000 to $224,000 — and open slightly above it.
How much do dentists make?
| Percentile | Annual base pay |
|---|---|
| 10th | $86,250 |
| 25th | $125,710 |
| Median | $170,950 |
| 75th | $224,040 |
| 90th | $319,630 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 — Dentists, General, national, about 124,390 jobs. BLS figures are base pay including commissions and production bonuses; they exclude year-end bonuses, stock, overtime and benefits.
Where dentists earn the most
| State | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $230,990 | $279,870 |
| North Dakota | $220,660 | $275,680 |
| Minnesota | $219,200 | $220,230 |
| Tennessee | $215,290 | $269,120 |
| Oregon | $211,690 | $306,890 |
Pay also differs within a state — big metro areas often pay more. Use your state's numbers when you set your target.
What should you ask for as a dentist?
| Experience | Suggested target range | Open with about |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | $126,000–$171,000 | $180,000 |
| 3–5 years | $171,000–$224,000 | $235,000 |
| 6–10 years | $192,000–$256,000 | $269,000 |
| 10+ years | $224,000–$320,000 | $336,000 |
The ranges follow national percentiles by experience (25th–50th, 50th–75th, 60th–80th, 75th–90th); the opening number is the top of the range plus about 5%, rounded. Guidance, not a guarantee — check your state and experience, and see how to negotiate salary.
What drives dentist pay?
General dentists diagnose and treat teeth and gums. Associate dentists are often paid a daily guarantee or a percentage of collections or production, so negotiation is as much about the formula, lab fees and patient flow as about the headline number.
- Pay formula: daily guarantee, percentage of collections or production.
- Lab fee splits and who pays for supplies.
- Patient flow, hygiene support and the procedures you're allowed to do.
- DSO (corporate) versus private practice.
Your leverage as a dentist
- Procedures you can do in-house (endo, implants, surgery).
- Production history from your previous practice.
- Willingness to work evenings, Saturdays or a second location.
- Language skills for the patient base.
- Plans to stay long term or buy in.
Only use leverage you really have. Never invent a competing offer.
Dentist objections and how to answer
| They say | You can say |
|---|---|
| “We pay 30% of collections.” | “Is that collections or production, and how are lab fees handled?” |
| “The daily guarantee is standard.” | “Could the guarantee apply for the first 12 months while I build my schedule?” |
| “There's no buy-in discussion at this stage.” | “I'd like a timeline for that conversation in the contract.” |
| “Non-compete terms are standard.” | “Could we narrow the radius and the duration?” |
Sample counter offer for a dentist
Thank you — I'm excited about the practice. Based on my [number] years and [procedures], I'm asking for a daily guarantee of [amount] or [percentage]% of collections, whichever is higher, with lab fees split 50/50. The national median for general dentists is $170,950.
Then stop talking and let them respond.
Asking for a raise as a dentist
Bring production and collections numbers, procedures added and patient retention. Renegotiate the percentage when your production grows.