Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in Minnesota
The median dentist earns $219,200 a year in Minnesota ($105.39 an hour), with the middle half earning between $194,990 and $220,230.[1]
25th percentile
$194,990
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$219,200
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$220,230
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $219,200 per year or $105.39/hr at the median. Minnesota runs about 28% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Minnesota
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 Minnesota earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Minnesota hourly | Minnesota annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $63.91 | $132,930 | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $93.75 | $194,990 | $60.44 | $125,710 |
| Median | $105.39 | $219,200 | $82.19 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $105.88 | $220,230 | $107.71 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $109.11 | $226,940 | $153.67 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $101.82 | $211,780 | $91.99 | $191,350 |
How many dentists work in Minnesota
2,370
0.81
1.01
How Minnesota compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $219,200 in Minnesota vs. $170,950 nationally, $48,250 (28%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $132,930 vs. $86,250, 54% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $226,940 vs. $319,630, 29% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 6.3% in Minnesota vs. 4.2% nationally.
Dentist pay by metro area in Minnesota
All 8 Minnesota metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $219,980 | $203,750–$220,670 | 1,760 |
| Rochester | $211,190 | $164,870–$216,450 | 110 |
| St. Cloud | $208,000 | $204,290–$222,820 | 70 |
| Mankato | $207,000 | $168,020–$226,940 | 60 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | $201,810 | $155,190–$274,180 | 80 |
| Duluth | $200,210 | $163,790–$204,040 | 90 |
| Fargo | $198,570 | $151,110–$261,040 | 110 |
| Sioux Falls | $181,140 | $124,470–$220,040 | 130 |
Job outlook for dentists in Minnesota
Minnesota's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 6.3% over 2024–2034, from 2,920 to 3,100 jobs, with about 100 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 Minnesota
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 Minnesota, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dentist salary in Minnesota: FAQ
How much do dentists make in Minnesota?
The median annual wage for dentists in Minnesota was $219,200 ($105.39 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $194,990 and $220,230. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $132,930 and the top 10% earned over $226,940. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dentists in Minnesota earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Minnesota median of $219,200 is higher than the U.S. median of $170,950. That is $48,250 (28%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Minnesota metro area pays dentists the most?
Among the 8 Minnesota metro areas with published BLS data, Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington has the highest median at $219,980 a year. Sioux Falls has the lowest, at $181,140.
How many dentists work in Minnesota?
BLS estimates 2,370 workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category were employed in Minnesota in May 2025. That is 0.81 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.01, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dentists growing in Minnesota?
Minnesota's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 6.3% over 2024–2034, from 2,920 to 3,100 jobs. That works out to about 100 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Hiring in Minnesota?
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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, Minnesota long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dentists, General
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)