Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in Ohio
The median dentist earns $167,410 a year in Ohio ($80.49 an hour), with the middle half earning between $96,370 and $222,820.[1]
25th percentile
$96,370
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$167,410
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$222,820
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $167,410 per year or $80.49/hr at the median. Ohio runs about 2% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Ohio
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 Ohio earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Ohio hourly | Ohio annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31.21 | $64,910 | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $46.33 | $96,370 | $60.44 | $125,710 |
| Median | $80.49 | $167,410 | $82.19 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $107.13 | $222,820 | $107.71 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $152.39 | $316,970 | $153.67 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $86.75 | $180,440 | $91.99 | $191,350 |
How many dentists work in Ohio
2,790
0.50
0.63
How Ohio compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $167,410 in Ohio vs. $170,950 nationally, $3,540 (2%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $64,910 vs. $86,250, 25% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $316,970 vs. $319,630, about the same.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 1.7% in Ohio vs. 4.2% nationally.
Dentist pay by metro area in Ohio
All 11 Ohio metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canton-Massillon | $212,640 | $179,810–$306,420 | 90 |
| Cincinnati | $206,100 | $135,380–$277,640 | 380 |
| Toledo | $205,920 | $159,900–$206,280 | 180 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | $181,990 | $129,380–$270,740 | 180 |
| Springfield | $172,680 | $132,460–$239,360 | 30 |
| Youngstown-Warren | $168,820 | $167,180–$246,700 | 40 |
| Huntington-Ashland | $168,210 | $104,080–$221,520 | 70 |
| Columbus | $166,180 | $65,260–$204,610 | 780 |
| Mansfield | $163,980 | $128,560–$193,340 | 40 |
| Akron | $163,480 | $96,370–$201,170 | 250 |
| Cleveland | $154,800 | $113,060–$236,700 | 470 |
Job outlook for dentists in Ohio
Ohio's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 1.7% over 2024–2034, from 3,410 to 3,470 jobs, with about 90 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.
Licensing for dentists in Ohio
Licensing board: Ohio State Dental Board[5] (licenses dentists, dental hygienists and dental auxiliaries)
What drives dentist pay in Ohio
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 Ohio, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dentist salary in Ohio: FAQ
How much do dentists make in Ohio?
The median annual wage for dentists in Ohio was $167,410 ($80.49 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $96,370 and $222,820. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $64,910 and the top 10% earned over $316,970. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dentists in Ohio earn more than the national median?
No. The Ohio median of $167,410 is lower than the U.S. median of $170,950. That is $3,540 (2%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Ohio metro area pays dentists the most?
Among the 11 Ohio metro areas with published BLS data, Canton-Massillon has the highest median at $212,640 a year. Cleveland has the lowest, at $154,800.
How many dentists work in Ohio?
BLS estimates 2,790 workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category were employed in Ohio in May 2025. That is 0.50 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.63, meaning the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dentists growing in Ohio?
Ohio's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 1.7% over 2024–2034, from 3,410 to 3,470 jobs. That works out to about 90 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Who licenses dentists in Ohio?
The Ohio State Dental Board. Confirm current requirements on the board's website before you apply.
Hiring in Ohio?
Fill dentist roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in Ohio
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, Ohio long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dentists, General
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)
- 5.Ohio State Dental Board