Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in Michigan
The median dentist earns $169,930 a year in Michigan ($81.70 an hour), with the middle half earning between $132,570 and $212,630.[1]
25th percentile
$132,570
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$169,930
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$212,630
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $169,930 per year or $81.70/hr at the median. That's about the same as the national median.
The full pay range in Michigan
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dentists in Michigan earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Michigan hourly | Michigan annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52.87 | $109,960 | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $63.73 | $132,570 | $60.44 | $125,710 |
| Median | $81.70 | $169,930 | $82.19 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $102.23 | $212,630 | $107.71 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $146.15 | $303,980 | $153.67 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $90.83 | $188,930 | $91.99 | $191,350 |
How many dentists work in Michigan
3,620
0.82
1.03
How Michigan compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $169,930 in Michigan vs. $170,950 nationally, about the same.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $109,960 vs. $86,250, 27% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $303,980 vs. $319,630, 5% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 2.7% in Michigan vs. 4.2% nationally.
Dentist pay by metro area in Michigan
All 14 Michigan metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo-Portage | $187,770 | $167,740–$337,990 | 90 |
| Jackson | $181,800 | $128,580–$206,830 | 40 |
| Flint | $177,720 | $169,900–$234,000 | 170 |
| Ann Arbor | $174,870 | $74,810–$335,380 | 190 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | $173,160 | $124,080–$213,260 | 490 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | $173,140 | $97,050–$310,520 | 100 |
| Traverse City | $171,740 | $125,350–$201,170 | 80 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | $167,860 | $140,850–$206,830 | 1,700 |
| Midland | $167,770 | $137,080–$200,520 | 40 |
| Niles | $165,950 | $122,320–$204,570 | 40 |
| Saginaw | $165,410 | $125,620–$213,580 | 40 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | $164,610 | $124,210–$264,090 | 100 |
| Battle Creek | $148,460 | $128,440–$188,760 | 40 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | $123,240 | $95,990–$193,950 | 60 |
Job outlook for dentists in Michigan
Michigan's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 2.7% over 2024–2034, from 4,410 to 4,530 jobs, with about 130 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
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.[4]
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 Michigan
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 Michigan, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dentist salary in Michigan: FAQ
How much do dentists make in Michigan?
The median annual wage for dentists in Michigan was $169,930 ($81.70 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $132,570 and $212,630. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $109,960 and the top 10% earned over $303,980. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dentists in Michigan earn more than the national median?
About the same. The Michigan median of $169,930 is about the same as the U.S. median of $170,950. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Michigan metro area pays dentists the most?
Among the 14 Michigan metro areas with published BLS data, Kalamazoo-Portage has the highest median at $187,770 a year. Muskegon-Norton Shores has the lowest, at $123,240.
How many dentists work in Michigan?
BLS estimates 3,620 workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category were employed in Michigan in May 2025. That is 0.82 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.03, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dentists growing in Michigan?
Michigan's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 2.7% over 2024–2034, from 4,410 to 4,530 jobs. That works out to about 130 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Hiring in Michigan?
Fill dentist roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in Michigan
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.Projections Central, Michigan long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dentists, General
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)