PermanentPosted 30+ days ago
General Dentist
Smile Brands · Frederick, MD
$150k–$300k/ year
Dentist jobs in Washington, DC
The median dentist pay in the Washington area is $85.00 per hour ($176,800 a year), with the typical range running from $62.30 to $103.53. That ranks 120th of 302 U.S. metro areas for dentist pay, and 209th of 279 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Washington and its metro area. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Washington.
- $85.00median pay per hour, Washington
- $62–$104typical range per hour
- 3,110dentists employed in the metro area
- 1open roles with published pay in the metro area
Open Dentist roles near Washington
Roles in other cities of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area.
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15+ more Dentist roles for you in Washington, DC
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Named employers near Washington, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportDentist pay in Washington, DC
Nationally the median is $83.07 per hour. BLS counts about 3,110 dentists, general employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area, 1.0 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.36).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $48.07 | $99,990 | 42% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $62.30 | $129,580 | 25% below U.S. median |
| Median | $85.00 | $176,800 | 2% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $103.53 | $215,340 | 25% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $115+ | $239,200+ | 38% above U.S. median |
How Washington ranks
- 120th of 302 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 209th of 279 after adjusting for local prices
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dentists, General (SOC 29-1021), all industries. Figures marked $115+ are the BLS top-coded maximum. 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 $85.00 median hour buys what $78.06 buys at the national price level, 6% 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.
Estimate your Washington paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$3,060
- Per year: $153,000
- Per month: $12,750
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.
Dentist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, VA | 7 mi | $85.00/hr | 159,102 |
| Rockville, MD | 14 mi | $85.00/hr | 68,417 |
| Baltimore, MD | 35 mi | $89.68/hr | 568,271 |
| Lancaster, PA | 87 mi | $81.67/hr | 58,441 |
| Harrisburg, PA | 95 mi | $85.16/hr | 50,649 |
| Wilmington, DE | 98 mi | $83.76/hr | 73,176 |
Dentist jobs in District of Columbia · Dentist 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 dentists make in Washington, DC?
Dentists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area have a median pay of $85.00 per hour, about $176,800 a year. The middle half earn between $62.30 and $103.53 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Washington a good place for dentists once cost of living is counted?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria ranks 209th of 279 metro areas for dentist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 120th of 302 before adjusting. Overall prices run 9% above the U.S. average.
Who is hiring dentists in Washington?
We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Washington.
Do I need a District of Columbia license to work in Washington as a dentist?
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 dentists 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.
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What do employers near Washington pay dentists? 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.
Get your free pay report
20+ Dentist 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.
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Dentist pay reportWashington, DC · employer-reported wage offers in federal filings, July 2025 – June 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Unity Health Care, Inc.Washington, DC · 1 wage offer$76.00/ hr$76–$76
- Hero Dental of Washington DC, P.C.District of Columbia · 1 wage offer$130.00/ hr$130–$130
- Dental Dreams PLLCWashington Dc, DC · 1 wage offer$102.16/ hr$84–$120
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
Low$76Median$89.08High$128
4 employer-reported wage offers for Dentist in federal filings in District of Columbia, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Dentist roles
Open Dentist roles near Washington, DC, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.