Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in District of Columbia
The median dentist earns $170,950 a year in the U.S. ($82.19 an hour), with the middle half earning between $125,710 and $224,040.[1]
25th percentile
$125,710
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$170,950
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$224,040
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $170,950 per year or $82.19/hr at the median.
Job outlook for dentists in District of Columbia
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dentist (all dentists, including specialists) employment to grow 6% over 2025–35, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 4,800 openings a year.[3]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dentist pay in District of Columbia
Pay for a dentist depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dentist roles in District of Columbia, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dentist salary in District of Columbia: FAQ
What is the average dentist salary in District of Columbia?
BLS does not publish a District of Columbia estimate for this role, so this page shows the national median: about $170,950, with most earning between $125,710 and $224,040 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Hiring in District of Columbia?
Fill dentist roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in District of Columbia
- Dental Hygienist salary in District of Columbia
- Dental Assistant salary in District of Columbia
- Dental Specialist salary in District of Columbia
- Dental Front Office salary in District of Columbia
- Dental Office Manager salary in District of Columbia
- Dental Practice Administrator salary in District of Columbia
- Dental Lab Technician salary in District of Columbia
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dentists, General (29-1021), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)