Dentists, General
SOC 29-1021 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Dentists, General is $166,300, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $191,750, and an estimated 121,640 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +4.6% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -11.1% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 4.1% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Dentists, General has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $166,300 | $166,300 | 121,640 |
| 2022 | $155,040 | $161,422 | 120,740 |
| 2021 | $160,370 | $180,334 | 108,680 |
| 2020 | $158,940 | $187,122 | 95,920 |
Nominal change
+4.6%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-11.1%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+4.1%
Faster than average
Employment 2024
129,800
Projected 2034
135,200
Annual Openings
3,900
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Dentists, General earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $166,300. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $236,540 | +42.2% | 80 |
| Alaska | $225,170 | +35.4% | 320 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $224,590 | +35.1% | 90 |
| Rhode Island | $223,830 | +34.6% | 490 |
| Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $219,750 | +32.1% | 60 |
| Delaware | $218,150 | +31.2% | 350 |
| East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $217,740 | +30.9% | 520 |
| Arizona | $217,570 | +30.8% | 2,140 |
| Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $212,830 | +28% | 210 |
| North Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $212,390 | +27.7% | 50 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$80,820
25th Pct
$123,670
Median
$166,300
75th Pct
$218,030
90th Pct
—
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| JDC HEALTHCARE PLLC | TX | 4 | $180,000 |
| Western Dental Services, Inc. | CA | 4 | $188,490 |
| Smile Line P.C | MA | 3 | $147,035 |
| 42 North Dental Care, LLC | MA | 3 | $99,403 |
| FAMILY HEALTHCARE NETWORK | CA | 3 | $175,000 |
| Sharonville Family Dental - Ming Yu DDS LLC | OH | 2 | $166,400 |
| Hathaway Road Dental, P.C. | MA | 2 | $312,000 |
| Access Dental Management Illinois LLC | IL | 2 | $234,000 |
| Clinicas Del Camino Real | CA | 2 | $150,000 |
| SOUMAVA SEN DDS PC | TX | 2 | $182,000 |
| Cheema Dental Corporation | CA | 2 | $264,493 |
| Comfortable Care Dental Health Professionals, PA | FL | 2 | $149,989 |
| Northwood Dental Partners PLLC | FL | 2 | $150,000 |
| Kunduru Dental PLLC | TX | 2 | $258,835 |
| The University of Iowa | IA | 2 | $130,000 |
| Dental Health Associates of Texas, PC | TX | 2 | $170,000 |
| NJ Aaron Burnett Dental PC | NJ | 2 | $169,000 |
| EDP of Illinois P.C. | IL | 2 | $208,000 |
| Lynn Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, LLC | MA | 2 | $208,000 |
| Hilltown Community Health Centers, Inc. | MA | 2 | $200,000 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
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