Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025

Dentist Salary in Traverse City

The median dentist earns $171,740 a year in the Traverse City metro, with the middle half between $125,350 and $201,170.[1]

25th percentile

$125,350

Lower end of the middle half

Median

$171,740

Half earn more, half earn less

75th percentile

$201,170

Upper end of the middle half

Traverse City runs about 1% higher than the Michigan median and ranks 7th of 14 Michigan metros. It is about the same as the national median.

Note: BLS figures reflect employed dentists. Many dentists own their practices, and owner earnings aren't included. That can make high-ownership areas read lower than you'd expect.

Traverse City pay range vs. Michigan and the U.S.

Dentist annual wages: Traverse City vs. Michigan vs. U.S. (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
PercentileMetro annualMichigan annualU.S. annual
10th percentile$110,220$109,960$86,250
25th percentile$125,350$132,570$125,710
Median$171,740$169,930$170,950
75th percentile$201,170$212,630$224,040
90th percentile$317,270$303,980$319,630
Mean (average)$197,060$188,930$191,350

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.[2] Gross wages for employees; excludes the self-employed. Comparisons in this page are DSO Hire calculations and are not adjusted for cost of living.

Employed in metro

80

About 2% of Michigan's total (calculation)

Per 1,000 jobs

1.17

Michigan: 0.82

Location quotient

1.46

1.00 = U.S. average; more concentrated than the national average

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Dentist salary in Traverse City: FAQ

How much do dentists make in Traverse City?

The median dentist salary in the Traverse City metro area is $171,740, with the middle half earning between $125,350 and $201,170 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $110,220 at the 10th percentile to $317,270 at the 90th.

Is Traverse City higher or lower than the rest of Michigan?

Traverse City runs about 1% higher than the Michigan state median for dentists. It ranks 7th of 14 Michigan metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)

How does Traverse City compare nationally?

Dentist pay in Traverse City is about the same as the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)

How many dentists work in the Traverse City area?

BLS estimates 80 dentists were employed in the Traverse City metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 1.46, so the role is more concentrated than the national average.