The average annual salary for specialty dentists has increased from $178,040 in 2019 up to $247,930 in 2025.
Over the past five years, compensation for specialty dentists has increased $69,890, or about 39.3%.
Compensation for specialty dentists has increased year-over-year for each of the past five years, except between 2023 to 2024.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released updated compensation data May 15 to reflect 2025 information, the latest available.
Here is how the average annual wage and average hourly wage have changed for specialty dentists from 2019 to 2025, along with the state where orthopedic surgeons earned the most each year.
2019
Mean annual wage: $178,040
Mean hourly wage: $85.59
Highest-paying state: North Dakota, annual wage of $264,330
2020
Mean annual wage: $194,930; year-over-year increase of $16,890
Mean hourly wage: $93.72
Highest-paying state: Connecticut, annual wage of $275,350
2021
Mean annual wage: $179,400; year-over-year decrease of $15,530
Mean hourly wage: $86.25
Highest-paying state: Massachusetts, annual wage of $312,170
2022
Mean annual wage: $233,430; year-over-year increase of $54,030
Mean hourly wage: $112.23
Highest-paying state: Nevada, annual wage of $250,760
2023
Mean annual wage: $244,470; year-over-year increase of $11,040
Mean hourly wage: $117.53
Highest-paying state: Connecticut, annual wage of $312,500
2024
Mean annual wage: $246,530; year-over-year increase of $2,060
Mean hourly wage: $118.52
Highest-paying state: Kansas, annual wage of $292,360
2025
Mean annual wage: $247,930; year-over-year increase of $1,400
Mean hourly wage: $119.20
Highest-paying state: Oregon, annual wage of $285,900
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