How Much Does a Dental Receptionist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$38,010
Dental receptionists in the U.S. earn a median of $38,010 a year, or $18.27 an hour. Half of dental receptionists earn more than $38,010 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $49,950.
Pay percentiles for dental receptionists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $13.83 | $28,760 |
| 25th | $16.33 | $33,960 |
| 50th (median) | $18.27 | $38,010 |
| 75th | $21.70 | $45,130 |
| 90th | $24.01 | $49,950 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Receptionists and Information Clerks (SOC 43-4171). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for dental receptionists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $49,060 | $23.59 | +29% |
| Alaska | $44,720 | $21.50 | +18% |
| Washington | $44,710 | $21.49 | +18% |
| California | $44,100 | $21.20 | +16% |
| Massachusetts | $43,870 | $21.09 | +15% |
| New York | $43,080 | $20.71 | +13% |
| Rhode Island | $42,620 | $20.49 | +12% |
| Maine | $42,440 | $20.41 | +12% |
| Colorado | $42,010 | $20.20 | +11% |
| New Jersey | $41,650 | $20.02 | +10% |
| United States | $38,010 | $18.27 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many dental receptionists are there?
BLS counts about 910,180 dental receptionists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Receptionists and Information Clerks”. The most jobs are in California (82,470), Texas (78,330) and New York (65,010).
The mean (average) annual wage is $39,460, higher than the median of $38,010.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,168
- Biweekly
- $1,462
- Weekly
- $731
- Daily (8 hours)
- $146
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do dental receptionists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for dental receptionists is $18.27. The middle 50% earn between $16.33 and $21.70 an hour.
Which state pays dental receptionists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for dental receptionists at $49,060, +29% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for dental receptionists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of dental receptionists earn less than $28,760 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.