Dentist Salary vary dramatically across the United States — and location is the single biggest factor most people overlook. The gap between the cheapest and most expensive cities can exceed 100%, meaning the same service that costs $130,000 in one market might run over $230,000 in another. Our data covers salary figures from 301 cities, updated with the latest federal data. Hattiesburg leads as the most affordable market, while Aspen tops the list for highest costs.
Dentist Salary pay averages about $180,000/yr nationally. In this city dataset, Aspen, CO has the highest modeled pay at $439,875/yr, while Hattiesburg, MS is lowest at $99,000/yr.
This hub is designed to route readers from the national answer into city-specific pages, where local rent, wages, insurance, taxes, and market conditions explain the real decision difference.
Reported as $/yr.
$439,875/yr modeled pay.
$99,000/yr modeled pay.
344% gap between the highest and lowest city values in this topic set.
Why Dentist Salary Vary by City
Remote work availability — roles that can be done remotely are converging on national rates, while on-site roles retain geographic premiums
Industry concentration — tech hubs, healthcare centers, and manufacturing regions each have different pay scales
Employer competition for talent in specialized industries
Remote work impact — geographic pay differentials are shrinking for some roles
Cost-of-living adjustments baked into compensation packages
How to Use This Guide
- Start with the national average, then check the city page because dentist salary can move sharply by local market.
- Compare pay against rent and taxes before treating one city as the best option.
- Use the related city links and comparison pages to connect this topic to full cost-of-living decisions.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities for Dentist Salary
Compare Dentist Salary Across 301 Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does dentist salary pay on average?
The national average for dentist salary ranges from $130,000 to $230,000. However, actual costs vary significantly by city — Hattiesburg is the most affordable at $99,000, while Aspen is the most expensive at $439,875. That's a spread of $340,875 between the cheapest and most expensive cities.
Where is dentist salary cheapest in the US?
The top 5 most affordable cities for dentist salary are: 1. Hattiesburg, MS ($99,000); 2. Biloxi, MS ($99,495); 3. Montgomery, AL ($103,005); 4. Rogers, AR ($104,400); 5. Amarillo, TX ($109,396). These cities benefit from lower labor costs, less regulatory overhead, and more competitive local markets.
Why does dentist salary cost more in some cities?
Several factors drive cost differences: local labor rates (often tied to housing costs), state and city regulations, material transportation costs, competitive density of service providers, and regional demand patterns. High cost-of-living cities like Aspen (index: 230) have higher baseline expenses that push up service costs across the board.
About This Data
Limitations: These are estimated ranges based on federal datasets and cost indices, not direct local surveys. Actual costs may vary based on project scope, provider, timing, and local market conditions. Data last updated: May 2026.