Dental Specialist salary
The median dental specialist pay is $144.23 per hour, or about $299,998 a year, based on 13 postings with published pay from 6 employers. Collected October 15, 2026.
- 13roles with published pay
- $144.23median pay per hour
- $110–$192typical published range
- 6employers hiring
Pay percentiles, per hour and per year
| Level | Per hour | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $114.31 | $237,773 |
| 25th percentile | $131.01 | $272,501 |
| Median | $144.23 | $299,998 |
| 75th percentile | $164.66 | $342,493 |
| 90th percentile | $167.55 | $348,500 |
Dental Specialist salary by state, BLS data
Nationally the BLS median is $108.54 per hour, about $225,770 a year, across 5,900 workers. Pick a state for its metro areas, rankings and open roles.
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $115+ | $239,200+ | 180 |
| Kansas | $115+ | $239,200+ | 0 |
| Louisiana | $115+ | $239,200+ | 30 |
| South Carolina | $115+ | $239,200+ | 60 |
| Massachusetts | $113.18 | $235,410 | 0 |
| Montana | $113.18 | $235,410 | 40 |
| West Virginia | $111.47 | $231,860 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $111.09 | $231,070 | 50 |
| Alabama | $110.49 | $229,820 | 30 |
| Texas | $109.41 | $227,570 | 0 |
| Ohio | $107.83 | $224,290 | 170 |
| Connecticut | $107.51 | $223,620 | 40 |
| Illinois | $107.19 | $222,960 | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $106.81 | $222,150 | 70 |
| Virginia | $105.51 | $219,460 | 70 |
| Missouri | $104.52 | $217,400 | 30 |
| North Carolina | $102.59 | $213,380 | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $102.15 | $212,470 | 70 |
| New Mexico | $101.14 | $210,370 | 50 |
| New Jersey | $97.17 | $202,110 | 0 |
| Maryland | $96.15 | $199,990 | 160 |
| Georgia | $93.37 | $194,210 | 80 |
| Arkansas | $84.48 | $175,720 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $62.50 | $129,990 | 330 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dentists, All Other Specialists.
Highest-paying metro areas
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $111.77 | $232,480 | 30 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $109.41 | $227,570 | 60 |
| Cleveland, OH | $107.44 | $223,460 | 40 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $106.63 | $221,790 | 80 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $106.17 | $220,840 | 50 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $105.90 | $220,270 | 70 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $101.62 | $211,370 | 30 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $97.26 | $202,290 | 110 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $97.09 | $201,960 | 30 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $96.15 | $199,990 | 150 |
Dental Specialist pay by state
| State | Postings | Median / hour | Median / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 3 | $164.66 | $342,493 |
| Tennessee | 3 | $144.23 | $299,998 |
Dental Specialist wage offers in federal filings
What employers reported they would pay, alongside what they publish.
| State | Wage offers | Typical range / hr | Median / hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 8 | $93–$161 | $127.40 |
| Michigan | 9 | $72–$159 | $120 |
| California | 6 | $71–$191 | $118.36 |
| Texas | 25 | $94–$160 | $115 |
| Virginia | 17 | $92–$166 | $115 |
| Massachusetts | 6 | $112–$140 | $115 |
| Minnesota | 7 | $88–$154 | $105.77 |
| Washington | 5 | $73–$146 | $96.15 |
Employer-reported wage offers in PERM and LCA filings with the U.S. Department of Labor, decided July 2025 – June 2026: 123 distinct offers, median $115 per hour. They are not job postings. The table lists states with at least 5 offers.
Who pays what
| Employer | Postings | Median / hour | Median / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Care Alliance | 3 | $168.27 | $350,002 |
| PDS Health | 2 | $164.66 | $342,493 |
| Smile Brands | 2 | $144.23 | $299,998 |
| Veterans Health Administration | 4 | $133.41 | $277,503 |
| Seattle Children's | 1 | $119.65 | $248,872 |
| Denver Health | 1 | $112.98 | $234,998 |
What moves your pay
- Experience and credentials: certifications and years in the specialty usually move you up the published range.
- Shift: nights, weekends and holidays often add a differential on top of the base range.
- Setting: academic centers, trauma hospitals and large systems often publish higher ranges than community sites.
- Location: pay follows local cost of living and demand, so compare cities, not only states.
Method
Figures are the midpoints of pay ranges that employers published in 13 postings from 6 employers, collected October 15, 2026. They are not survey estimates and do not include overtime or bonuses.
Common questions
How much does a dental specialist make?
The median dental specialist pay across 13 postings with published pay is $144.23 per hour, about $299,998 a year. Half of the postings fall between $131 and $165 per hour.
Which states pay dental specialists the most?
Among states with at least 3 postings, the highest medians are Colorado ($164.66/hr), Tennessee ($144.23/hr).
What do dental specialists get paid at other employers in the US?
- Smile BrandsNashville, TN$144.23/hr
- Dental Care AllianceLargo, FL$180.29/hr
- Dental Care AllianceWheat Ridge, CO$168.27/hr
See all employers by name, how pay is moving and the roles that pay more.
Get the free pay reportFree for candidates · email onlyWhat do other employers pay dental specialists near you?
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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70+ Dental Specialist roles in Tennessee, 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 Tennessee list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Smile BrandsNashville, TN · 2 postings$144.23/ hr$96–$192
- 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
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Tennessee list
2What they are offering now
3 Dental Specialist postings with published pay in Tennessee, 2 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 3 Dental Specialist roles
- EndodontistPermanent$200k–$400k/ year
- Dentist (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon)Permanent$280k–$400k/ year
+ 1 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.