Average Dentist Salary in California
Dentists in California earn an average of $199,194 per year across 6 metro areas. This is +16.5% higher than the national average.
Average Salary
$199,194
per year
Hourly Rate
$95.77
per hour
vs National
+16.5%
$170,910 national
Salary Range
$129,998
to $294,821
About Dentist Careers in California
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients' teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. They also provide advice and instruction on taking care of teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health. As one of the highest-paid healthcare professions, dentists combine clinical expertise with entrepreneurial skills — most own or co-own their practices. The profession continues to evolve with advances in digital imaging, laser dentistry, and cosmetic procedures that command premium fees.
In California, dentists earn an average of $199,194 per year as of 2026, with salaries ranging from $129,998 for entry-level roles to $294,821 for the most experienced professionals — +16.5% above the national average. Pay is influenced most by specialty (oral surgeons and orthodontists earn significantly more than general dentists), practice ownership vs. associate or corporate dentistry, and the specific metro area within California.
What Dentists Actually Earn in California
California is the largest market for dentists in the United States — Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data shows it employs far more dentists than any other state — and it ranks among the highest-paying. The salary figures on this page reflect the most recent BLS release and are reviewed for the 2025–2026 period. Because dental income blends employee wages with practice-owner profit, real take-home pay for established California dentists frequently runs higher than the published average for salaried staff dentists.
Three forces lift dentist pay in California above the national median. First, a high cost of living in the major metros pushes both fees and compensation upward. Second, dense, affluent urban populations sustain strong demand for both general and cosmetic dentistry. Third, specialty and ownership economics dominate the top end: orthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and endodontists earn well above general dentists, and a practice owner keeps the business profit on top of their clinical wage. Continued expansion of dental service organizations (DSOs) across the state has also raised starting pay for associate dentists.
Earnings vary widely by region and practice model. Dentists in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange County typically command the highest pay, while the Central Valley (Fresno, Bakersfield, Sacramento) sits lower in dollar terms but offers a much lower cost of living. All dentists must hold a license from the Dental Board of California, and the gap between a salaried associate and a profitable practice owner — or a board-certified specialist — is the single biggest driver of how much a given California dentist takes home.
Cost of Living Adjusted Salary
Nominal Salary
$199,194
Cost of Living Index
142
100 = national average
Adjusted Salary
$140,277
purchasing power equivalent
After adjusting for California's cost of living (above average), a Dentist's salary of $199,194 has the purchasing power of $140,277 in an average-cost area.
Dentist Salary by City in California
| City | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | Entry Level (P10) | Senior (P90) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $233,754 | $112.38/hr | $149,382 | $345,942 | 148 |
| San Francisco, CA | $233,712 | $112.36/hr | $151,397 | $345,457 | 144 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $190,314 | $91.50/hr | $123,630 | $282,993 | 183 |
| San Diego, CA | $187,296 | $90.05/hr | $126,511 | $275,584 | 123 |
| Sacramento, CA | $176,586 | $84.90/hr | $118,428 | $260,357 | 106 |
| Riverside, CA | $173,503 | $83.41/hr | $110,638 | $258,595 | 131 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS Survey, 2026. Sorted by median salary (highest first).
California vs National Average
Dentist Salary Comparison
Employment in California
There are approximately 835 Dentists employed across 6 metro areas in California.
Key Industries: Technology, Entertainment & Media, Agriculture
State Income Tax: 1% - 13.3%
Dentist Salary Range in California
Entry Level (10th Percentile)
$129,998
Starting salary for new Dentists
Median (50th Percentile)
$199,194
Mid-career Dentist salary
Senior (90th Percentile)
$294,821
Top earners in the field
Related Occupations in California
Dentist Salary in Neighboring States
Compare Dentist salaries in California with nearby states to find the best opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do dentists in California earn more than in other states?
California pays dentists well for several reasons: a high cost of living in its major metros pushes both fees and compensation upward, dense and affluent urban populations sustain strong demand for general and cosmetic dentistry, and the state is the largest dental market in the country. California also reports among the highest dentist employment of any state in the BLS OEWS data, so demand for licensed dentists is consistently strong.
Do practice owners and specialists earn more than associate dentists in California?
Yes, and the gap is large. A salaried associate dentist earns a clinical wage, while a practice owner also keeps the profit of the business on top of their own clinical income. Specialists — orthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, and endodontists — typically earn well above general dentists. Ownership status and specialty are the single biggest factors in how much a given California dentist actually takes home, so real earnings for owners and specialists often run far higher than the published average for staff dentists.
Which California cities pay dentists the most?
Dentists in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange County typically command the highest pay, driven by cost of living, affluent patient demand, and high practice revenue. The Central Valley (Fresno, Bakersfield, Sacramento) generally pays less in dollar terms but offers a much lower cost of living, so take-home pay can stretch further there. See the city-by-city table above for current figures.
What license do you need to practice dentistry in California?
Every practicing dentist in California must hold an active license from the Dental Board of California. That requires graduating from a CODA-accredited dental school (a DDS or DMD degree), passing the required national and state clinical and law examinations, and meeting the board’s background and continuing-education requirements. Specialists must complete an accredited residency in their specialty, and a separate permit is required to administer sedation or general anesthesia.
What is the average Dentist salary in California?
The average Dentist salary in California is $199,194 per year ($95.77/hour) based on 2026 data across 6 metro areas. This is 16.5% above the national average of $170,910.
What is the highest paying city for Dentists in California?
San Jose, CA is the highest paying city for Dentists in California, with a median salary of $233,754 per year. The lowest paying metro area is Riverside, CA at $173,503.
What is the salary range for Dentists in California?
Dentist salaries in California range from $129,998 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $294,821 (experienced, 90th percentile). The median salary is $199,194 per year.
About This Data
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. State-level averages are calculated from metro area data within California. Figures represent 2026 estimates and may not reflect all employers or self-employed workers. Cost of living adjustments use regional indices to provide purchasing power context.