How Much Does a Dental Surgeon Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$352,220
Dental surgeons in the U.S. earn a median of $352,220 a year, or $169.34 an hour. Half of dental surgeons earn more than $352,220 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $622,640.
Pay percentiles for dental surgeons
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th | $98.37 | $204,610 |
| 50th (median) | $169.34 | $352,220 |
| 75th | $206.11 | $428,710 |
| 90th | $299.35 | $622,640 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (SOC 29-1022). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for dental surgeons
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| Alaska | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| Iowa | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| New Hampshire | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| North Dakota | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| South Carolina | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| Pennsylvania | $553,740 | $266.22 | +57% |
| Minnesota | $475,250 | $228.49 | +35% |
| Rhode Island | $414,060 | $199.07 | +18% |
| Virginia | $403,430 | $193.96 | +15% |
| United States | $352,220 | $169.34 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. "+" marks wages above the highest figure BLS publishes ($239,200 a year / $115.00 an hour). Those states are listed first, alphabetically. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many dental surgeons are there?
BLS counts about 4,910 dental surgeons employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons”. The most jobs are in California (670), New York (350) and Virginia (210).
The mean (average) annual wage is $346,490, lower than the median of $352,220.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $29,352
- Biweekly
- $13,547
- Weekly
- $6,773
- Daily (8 hours)
- $1,355
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do dental surgeons make an hour?
The median hourly wage for dental surgeons is $169.34. The middle 50% earn between $98.37 and $206.11 an hour.
Which state pays dental surgeons the most?
Alabama, Alaska, Iowa, New Hampshire, North Dakota and South Carolina report a median wage of more than $239,200 for dental surgeons, the highest level BLS publishes, so an exact ranking among them is not available.
What is the starting salary for dental surgeons?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of dental surgeons earn less than $86,250 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.