Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in Oklahoma
The median dentist earns $166,170 a year in Oklahoma ($79.89 an hour), with the middle half earning between $107,880 and $228,710.[1]
25th percentile
$107,880
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$166,170
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$228,710
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $166,170 per year or $79.89/hr at the median. Oklahoma runs about 3% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Oklahoma hourly | Oklahoma annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46.77 | $97,290 | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $51.87 | $107,880 | $60.44 | $125,710 |
| Median | $79.89 | $166,170 | $82.19 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $109.96 | $228,710 | $107.71 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $166.77 | $346,890 | $153.67 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $90.52 | $188,280 | $91.99 | $191,350 |
How many dentists work in Oklahoma
980
0.58
0.72
How Oklahoma compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $166,170 in Oklahoma vs. $170,950 nationally, $4,780 (3%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $97,290 vs. $86,250, 13% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $346,890 vs. $319,630, 9% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 3.9% in Oklahoma vs. 4.2% nationally.
Dentist pay by metro area in Oklahoma
All 3 Oklahoma metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $196,740 | $124,470–$306,400 | 290 |
| Tulsa | $165,280 | $104,000–$227,690 | 390 |
| Fort Smith | $165,060 | $122,020–$200,350 | 100 |
Job outlook for dentists in Oklahoma
Oklahoma's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 3.9% over 2024–2034, from 1,320 to 1,370 jobs, with about 40 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 Oklahoma
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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Dentist salary in Oklahoma: FAQ
How much do dentists make in Oklahoma?
The median annual wage for dentists in Oklahoma was $166,170 ($79.89 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $107,880 and $228,710. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $97,290 and the top 10% earned over $346,890. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dentists in Oklahoma earn more than the national median?
No. The Oklahoma median of $166,170 is lower than the U.S. median of $170,950. That is $4,780 (3%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Oklahoma metro area pays dentists the most?
Among the 3 Oklahoma metro areas with published BLS data, Oklahoma City has the highest median at $196,740 a year. Fort Smith has the lowest, at $165,060.
How many dentists work in Oklahoma?
BLS estimates 980 workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category were employed in Oklahoma in May 2025. That is 0.58 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.72, meaning the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dentists growing in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 3.9% over 2024–2034, from 1,320 to 1,370 jobs. That works out to about 40 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Hiring in Oklahoma?
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Other roles in Oklahoma
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, Oklahoma long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dentists, General
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)