Dentists, General

SOC code 29-1021 · O*NET-SOC 29-1021.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Healthcare

Dentists, General pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$170,950

a year

Hourly

$82.19

per hour

10th$86,250Median$170,95090th$319,630

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$191,350

$91.99 per hour

Middle 50%

$125,710 – $224,040

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$86,250 – $319,630

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

124,390

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $86,250; $41.47/hr
25th percentile: $125,710; $60.44/hr
Median percentile: $170,950; $82.19/hr
75th percentile: $224,040; $107.71/hr
90th percentile: $319,630; $153.67/hr

What do dentists, general do?

Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, or other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments.
Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
Use dental air turbines, hand instruments, dental appliances, or surgical implements.
Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians.
Advise or instruct patients regarding preventive dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, or oral health care services.
Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold doctoral degree — 62% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

See all zone 5 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Doctoral Degree62%
Post-Doctoral Training38%

Common questions

How much does a dentists, general earn?

The national median is $170,950 a year. The full range runs from $86,250 at the 10th percentile to $319,630 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a dentists, general without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Critical Thinking4.1/5
Reading Comprehension4.0/5
Active Listening4.0/5
Speaking4.0/5
Active Learning4.0/5
Monitoring4.0/5

Knowledge areas

Medicine and Dentistry5.0/5
Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
Biology4.2/5
Administration and Management3.8/5
English Language3.6/5
Chemistry3.5/5
Psychology3.4/5
Personnel and Human Resources3.4/5

Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving.