Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in Montana
The median dentist earns $167,200 a year in Montana ($80.39 an hour), with the middle half earning between $121,610 and $202,310.[1]
25th percentile
$121,610
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$167,200
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$202,310
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $167,200 per year or $80.39/hr at the median. Montana runs about 2% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Montana
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 Montana earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Montana hourly | Montana annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30.63 | $63,710 | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $58.47 | $121,610 | $60.44 | $125,710 |
| Median | $80.39 | $167,200 | $82.19 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $97.27 | $202,310 | $107.71 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $110.86 | $230,580 | $153.67 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $80.99 | $168,460 | $91.99 | $191,350 |
How many dentists work in Montana
380
0.75
0.94
How Montana compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $167,200 in Montana vs. $170,950 nationally, $3,750 (2%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $63,710 vs. $86,250, 26% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $230,580 vs. $319,630, 28% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 12.3% in Montana vs. 4.2% nationally.
Dentist pay by metro area in Montana
All 3 Montana metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $203,330 | $148,110–$230,580 | 50 |
| Missoula | $172,690 | $121,240–$199,200 | 50 |
| Great Falls | $162,810 | $118,860–$176,730 | 40 |
Job outlook for dentists in Montana
Montana's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 12.3% over 2024–2034, from 530 to 600 jobs, with about 20 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 Montana
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 Montana, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dentist salary in Montana: FAQ
How much do dentists make in Montana?
The median annual wage for dentists in Montana was $167,200 ($80.39 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $121,610 and $202,310. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $63,710 and the top 10% earned over $230,580. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dentists in Montana earn more than the national median?
No. The Montana median of $167,200 is lower than the U.S. median of $170,950. That is $3,750 (2%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Montana metro area pays dentists the most?
Among the 3 Montana metro areas with published BLS data, Billings has the highest median at $203,330 a year. Great Falls has the lowest, at $162,810.
How many dentists work in Montana?
BLS estimates 380 workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category were employed in Montana in May 2025. That is 0.75 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.94, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dentists growing in Montana?
Montana's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 12.3% over 2024–2034, from 530 to 600 jobs. That works out to about 20 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Hiring in Montana?
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Other roles in Montana
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, Montana long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dentists, General
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)