Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in New Mexico
The median dentist earns $155,260 a year in New Mexico ($74.64 an hour), with the middle half earning between $118,560 and $226,330.[1]
25th percentile
$118,560
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$155,260
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$226,330
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $155,260 per year or $74.64/hr at the median. New Mexico runs about 9% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in New Mexico
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 New Mexico earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | New Mexico hourly | New Mexico annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48.64 | $101,180 | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $57.00 | $118,560 | $60.44 | $125,710 |
| Median | $74.64 | $155,260 | $82.19 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $108.81 | $226,330 | $107.71 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $147.27 | $306,320 | $153.67 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $88.95 | $185,010 | $91.99 | $191,350 |
How many dentists work in New Mexico
780
0.89
1.12
How New Mexico compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $155,260 in New Mexico vs. $170,950 nationally, $15,690 (9%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $101,180 vs. $86,250, 17% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $306,320 vs. $319,630, 4% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): -1.7% in New Mexico vs. 4.2% nationally.
Dentist pay by metro area in New Mexico
All 4 New Mexico metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces | $207,000 | $130,900–$243,010 | 80 |
| Farmington | $195,760 | $123,280–$272,790 | 50 |
| Santa Fe | $154,960 | $120,150–$228,080 | 60 |
| Albuquerque | $141,580 | $115,740–$226,330 | 460 |
Job outlook for dentists in New Mexico
New Mexico's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to change 1.7% over 2024–2034, from 740 to 730 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 New Mexico
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 New Mexico, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dentist salary in New Mexico: FAQ
How much do dentists make in New Mexico?
The median annual wage for dentists in New Mexico was $155,260 ($74.64 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $118,560 and $226,330. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $101,180 and the top 10% earned over $306,320. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dentists in New Mexico earn more than the national median?
No. The New Mexico median of $155,260 is lower than the U.S. median of $170,950. That is $15,690 (9%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which New Mexico metro area pays dentists the most?
Among the 4 New Mexico metro areas with published BLS data, Las Cruces has the highest median at $207,000 a year. Albuquerque has the lowest, at $141,580.
How many dentists work in New Mexico?
BLS estimates 780 workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category were employed in New Mexico in May 2025. That is 0.89 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.12, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dentists growing in New Mexico?
New Mexico's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to change 1.7% over 2024–2034, from 740 to 730 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 New Mexico?
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Other roles in New Mexico
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, New Mexico long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dentists, General
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)