Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in West Virginia
The median dentist earns $170,370 a year in West Virginia ($81.91 an hour), with the middle half earning between $129,990 and $268,400.[1]
25th percentile
$129,990
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$170,370
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$268,400
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $170,370 per year or $81.91/hr at the median. That's about the same as the national median.
The full pay range in West Virginia
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 West Virginia earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | West Virginia hourly | West Virginia annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46.28 | $96,270 | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $62.50 | $129,990 | $60.44 | $125,710 |
| Median | $81.91 | $170,370 | $82.19 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $129.04 | $268,400 | $107.71 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $174.49 | $362,930 | $153.67 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $96.46 | $200,640 | $91.99 | $191,350 |
How many dentists work in West Virginia
420
0.60
0.75
How West Virginia compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $170,370 in West Virginia vs. $170,950 nationally, about the same.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $96,270 vs. $86,250, 12% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $362,930 vs. $319,630, 14% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 9.6% in West Virginia vs. 4.2% nationally.
Dentist pay by metro area in West Virginia
All 6 West Virginia metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgantown | $207,000 | $139,580–$311,180 | 50 |
| Beckley | $199,360 | $124,470–$298,420 | 40 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $184,540 | $156,460–$229,130 | 3,040 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | $168,450 | $130,860–$221,380 | 80 |
| Huntington-Ashland | $168,210 | $104,080–$221,520 | 70 |
| Charleston | $152,980 | $129,990–$194,320 | 70 |
Job outlook for dentists in West Virginia
West Virginia's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 9.6% over 2024–2034, from 470 to 520 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 West Virginia
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 West Virginia, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dentist salary in West Virginia: FAQ
How much do dentists make in West Virginia?
The median annual wage for dentists in West Virginia was $170,370 ($81.91 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $129,990 and $268,400. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $96,270 and the top 10% earned over $362,930. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dentists in West Virginia earn more than the national median?
About the same. The West Virginia median of $170,370 is about the same as the U.S. median of $170,950. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which West Virginia metro area pays dentists the most?
Among the 6 West Virginia metro areas with published BLS data, Morgantown has the highest median at $207,000 a year. Charleston has the lowest, at $152,980.
How many dentists work in West Virginia?
BLS estimates 420 workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category were employed in West Virginia in May 2025. That is 0.60 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.75, meaning the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dentists growing in West Virginia?
West Virginia's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 9.6% over 2024–2034, from 470 to 520 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 West Virginia?
Fill dentist roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in West Virginia
- Dental Hygienist salary in West Virginia
- Dental Assistant salary in West Virginia
- Dental Specialist salary in West Virginia
- Dental Front Office salary in West Virginia
- Dental Office Manager salary in West Virginia
- Dental Practice Administrator salary in West Virginia
- Dental Lab Technician salary in West Virginia
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, West Virginia long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dentists, General
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)