NE · Lincoln · Updated October 15, 2026

Dentist jobs in Lincoln, NE

The median dentist pay in the Lincoln area is $74.54 per hour ($155,050 a year), with the typical range running from $50.36 to $115+. That ranks 241st of 302 U.S. metro areas for dentist pay, and 189th of 279 once local prices are factored in. The free report below lists employers near Lincoln and what they pay.

Dentist pay in Lincoln, NE

The metro median is 8% below the Nebraska statewide median of $80.82 per hour. Nationally the median is $83.07 per hour. BLS counts about 170 dentists, general employed in the Lincoln metro area, 0.9 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.26).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$34.83$72,45058% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$50.36$104,75039% below U.S. median
Median$74.54$155,05010% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$115+$239,200+38% above U.S. median
Top 10%$115+$239,200+38% above U.S. median

How Lincoln ranks

  • 241st of 302 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 189th 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 Lincoln

  • Overall prices in Lincoln run 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.6, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 16% below the U.S. average (index 84.2).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $74.54 median hour buys what $81.39 buys at the national price level, 2% 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.

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Named employers near Lincoln, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Lincoln paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$2,683
  • Per year: $134,172
  • Per month: $11,181

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Lincoln metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Dental health shortage areas in Lancaster County

HRSA lists 3 active dental health shortage designations that include Lancaster County (3 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 23 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

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Bellevue, NE45 mi$96.44/hr64,777
Omaha, NE45 mi$96.44/hr489,265
Council Bluffs, IA52 mi$96.44/hr62,665
Grand Island, NE88 mi$80.82/hr53,250
Manhattan, KS112 mi$79.48/hr54,700
Sioux City, IA117 mi$94.15/hr86,875

Dentist jobs in Nebraska · Dentist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Nebraska

Active dental license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Nebraska requires for your role with the Nebraska licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Nebraska taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Nebraska state guide

Other healthcare roles in Lincoln

Lincoln city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dentists make in Lincoln, NE?

Dentists in the Lincoln metro area have a median pay of $74.54 per hour, about $155,050 a year. The middle half earn between $50.36 and $115+ per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Lincoln a good place for dentists once cost of living is counted?

Lincoln ranks 189th of 279 metro areas for dentist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 241st of 302 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.

Do I need a Nebraska license to work in Lincoln as a dentist?

Active dental license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Nebraska requires for your role with the Nebraska licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Lincoln in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 3 active dental health shortage designations that include Lancaster County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

Does Valorem Health place dentists in Lincoln?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Lincoln and across Nebraska. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Lincoln.

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What do employers near Lincoln pay dentists? Get the report.

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    Pay for your role at other employers

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

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    What they are offering now

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Pay report · Dentist near Lincoln, NE
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dentist pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your Nebraska list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Mortenson Dental Health LLCOmaha, NE · 1 wage offer$61.21/ hr$61–$61
  • Smile BrandsHouston, TX · 8 postings$144.23/ hr$96–$192
  • Aspen DentalDunwoody, GA · 3 postings$123.80/ hr$87–$216
  • Aspen DentalCharlotte, NC · 3 postings$123.80/ hr$103–$192

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings. Request your Nebraska list

2What they are offering now

Low$87Median$106.97High$216

127 Dentist postings with published pay in the US, 50 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open Dentist roles

Open Dentist roles near Lincoln, NE, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.

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