Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in Missouri
The median dentist earns $204,960 a year in Missouri ($98.54 an hour), with the middle half earning between $131,980 and $334,680.[1]
25th percentile
$131,980
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$204,960
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$334,680
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $204,960 per year or $98.54/hr at the median. Missouri runs about 20% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Missouri
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 Missouri earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Missouri hourly | Missouri annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45.97 | $95,610 | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $63.45 | $131,980 | $60.44 | $125,710 |
| Median | $98.54 | $204,960 | $82.19 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $160.90 | $334,680 | $107.71 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $205.76 | $427,970 | $153.67 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $116.15 | $241,580 | $91.99 | $191,350 |
How many dentists work in Missouri
2,440
0.83
1.04
How Missouri compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $204,960 in Missouri vs. $170,950 nationally, $34,010 (20%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $95,610 vs. $86,250, 11% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $427,970 vs. $319,630, 34% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 1.8% in Missouri vs. 4.2% nationally.
Dentist pay by metro area in Missouri
All 7 Missouri metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | $214,100 | $169,980–$298,580 | 250 |
| St. Louis | $210,430 | $130,300–$373,770 | 1,250 |
| Jefferson City | $208,630 | $160,180–$313,600 | 50 |
| Columbia | $207,450 | $174,990–$264,990 | 60 |
| St. Joseph | $207,450 | $171,030–$336,490 | 50 |
| Joplin | $201,820 | $146,230–$291,770 | 50 |
| Kansas City | $171,690 | $124,470–$223,560 | 1,070 |
Job outlook for dentists in Missouri
Missouri's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 1.8% over 2024–2034, from 2,180 to 2,220 jobs, with about 60 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 Missouri
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
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Browse open dentist roles in Missouri, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dentist salary in Missouri: FAQ
How much do dentists make in Missouri?
The median annual wage for dentists in Missouri was $204,960 ($98.54 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $131,980 and $334,680. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $95,610 and the top 10% earned over $427,970. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dentists in Missouri earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Missouri median of $204,960 is higher than the U.S. median of $170,950. That is $34,010 (20%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Missouri metro area pays dentists the most?
Among the 7 Missouri metro areas with published BLS data, Springfield has the highest median at $214,100 a year. Kansas City has the lowest, at $171,690.
How many dentists work in Missouri?
BLS estimates 2,440 workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category were employed in Missouri in May 2025. That is 0.83 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.04, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dentists growing in Missouri?
Missouri's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 1.8% over 2024–2034, from 2,180 to 2,220 jobs. That works out to about 60 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Hiring in Missouri?
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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, Missouri long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dentists, General
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)