verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Dentist Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$165,950/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$79.79/hr
▼ 3% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
16,770
public U.S. Median
$170,950
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$149,883 #43 of 47

Dentist pay in California, explained

Dentists in California earn a median of $165,950 per year ($79.79 per hour), which is 3% below the national median of $170,950. Entry-level workers earn around $74,510, while the most experienced dentists reach about $272,730. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $165,950 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $165,950 is worth about $149,883 in national buying power — ranking California #43 for real pay (vs #33 on the sticker number).

See the full Dentist Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Dentist pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$74,510
$35.82/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$165,950
$79.79/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$272,730
$131.12/hr

Dentist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $165,950 $149,883
Oregon $211,690 $204,806 −$45,740
Arizona $194,180 $192,874 −$28,230
Nevada $162,200 $162,234 +$3,750

Dentist in California: FAQ

How much do dentists make in California?

Dentists in California earn a median of $165,950 per year ($79.79 per hour), compared with $170,950 nationally.

Does California pay dentists well?

At $165,950, California pays 3% below the national median for dentists. An estimated 16,770 work in the state.

Dentist salary in other states

All 47 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in California