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Dentist: Salary, Job Outlook and Education by Specialty

BLS reports dentists as general dentists and several specialties. Across the 4 official occupations below, BLS counts about 140,740 workers. National median annual wages range from $170,950 to $352,220 (May 2025).

$0$200K$400K$600KOral and maxillofacial surgeons$352,220Orthodontists$289,140Dentists, all other specialists$224,990Dentists, general$170,950
Annual wage distribution for dentist occupations, United States, May 2025. Highest median: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons at $352,220. The bar spans the 25th to 75th percentile, the thin line spans the 10th to 90th percentile, and the red mark is the median.
Dentist occupations compared
OccupationMedian wageEmploymentChange 2025 to 2035Typical entry education
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
SOC 29-1022
$352,2204,910+5.6%Doctoral or professional degree
Orthodontists
SOC 29-1023
$289,1406,210+6.0%Doctoral or professional degree
Dentists, all other specialists
SOC 29-1029
$224,9905,230+1.3%Doctoral or professional degree
Dentists, general
SOC 29-1021
$170,950124,390+5.7%Doctoral or professional degree

Compare the top five side by side

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.