Dental Specialist jobs in Washington, DC
The median dental specialist pay in the Washington area is $96.15 per hour ($199,990 a year), with the typical range running from $96.15 to $96.15. That ranks 10th of 10 U.S. metro areas for dental specialist pay, and 10th of 10 once local prices are factored in. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Washington.
- $96.15median pay per hour, Washington
- $96–$96typical range per hour
- 150dental specialists employed in the metro area
- 109cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Dental Specialist pay in Washington, DC
Nationally the median is $108.54 per hour. BLS counts about 150 dentists, all other specialists employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area, 0.0 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.26).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $76.89 | $159,930 | 29% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $96.15 | $199,990 | 11% below U.S. median |
| Median | $96.15 | $199,990 | 11% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $96.15 | $199,990 | 11% below U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $109.50 | $227,760 | 1% above U.S. median |
How Washington ranks
- 10th of 10 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 10th of 10 after adjusting for local prices
BLS does not publish a separate figure for dental specialist. These numbers are for the broader category it belongs to, Dentists, All Other Specialists.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dentists, All Other Specialists (SOC 29-1029), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Washington
- Overall prices in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria run 9% above the U.S. average (index 108.9, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 51% above the U.S. average (index 151.1).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $96.15 median hour buys what $88.30 buys at the national price level, 19% below the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Washington Dental Specialist pay report
Named employers near Washington, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Washington paycheck
- Per year: $173,070
- Per month: $14,422
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Dental health shortage areas in District of Columbia
HRSA lists 9 active dental health shortage designations that include District of Columbia (1 population-group, 8 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 25 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.
Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.
Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.
Dental Specialist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, VA | 7 mi | $96.15/hr | 159,102 |
| Rockville, MD | 14 mi | $96.15/hr | 68,417 |
| Baltimore, MD | 35 mi | $96.15/hr | 568,271 |
| Lancaster, PA | 87 mi | $102.15/hr | 58,441 |
| Harrisburg, PA | 95 mi | $102.15/hr | 50,649 |
| Wilmington, DE | 98 mi | $97.26/hr | 73,176 |
Dental Specialist jobs in District of Columbia · Dental Specialist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in District of Columbia
Active dental license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what District of Columbia requires for your role with the District of Columbia licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
District of Columbia taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Washington
Washington city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dental specialists make in Washington, DC?
Dental Specialists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area have a median pay of $96.15 per hour, about $199,990 a year. The middle half earn between $96.15 and $96.15 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Washington a good place for dental specialists once cost of living is counted?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria ranks 10th of 10 metro areas for dental specialist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 10th of 10 before adjusting. Overall prices run 9% above the U.S. average.
Do I need a District of Columbia license to work in Washington as a dental specialist?
Active dental license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what District of Columbia requires for your role with the District of Columbia licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is Washington in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 9 active dental health shortage designations that include District of Columbia. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
Does Valorem Health place dental specialists in Washington?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Washington and across District of Columbia. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Washington.
What do employers near Washington pay dental specialists? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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20+ Dental Specialist roles in District of Columbia, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your Dental Specialist pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your District of Columbia list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Dental Care AllianceLargo, FL · 1 posting$180.29/ hr$144–$216
- Dental Care AllianceWheat Ridge, CO · 1 posting$168.27/ hr$144–$192
- PDS HealthAvondale, AZ · 1 posting$164.66/ hr$132–$197
- PDS HealthColorado Springs, CO · 1 posting$164.66/ hr$132–$197
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your District of Columbia list
2What they are offering now
13 Dental Specialist postings with published pay in the US, 10 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Dental Specialist roles
Open Dental Specialist roles near Washington, DC, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.