California's average dentist salary of $170,690 falls below several peer states, including New York at $202,040 and Washington at $195,810. Nevada and Texas are closer comparisons at $178,460 and $178,360. If you are recruiting dentists from out of state, candidates from New York or Washington will likely expect higher compensation than California's market currently supports.
Dentist salary in California (2026)
The average dentist salary in California is $170,690 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $165,950 gives you a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. California employs 16,770 dentists, and the $4,740 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior dentists in California typically earn around $74,510, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $272,730 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dentist hire in California, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $165,950 |
Average Annual Salary | $170,690 |
vs. National Average | 10.8% below the national mean of $191,350 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 16,770 employed dentists across California.
See how Rippling handles payroll, benefits, and onboarding for your next dentist hire.
Dentist salary percentiles in California
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $74,510 |
25th Percentile | $124,470 |
75th Percentile | $213,260 |
90th Percentile | $272,730 |
If you are hiring an experienced dentist in California, expect offers in the $213,260 to $272,730 range for candidates at the top of the market. Entry-level or associate roles will anchor closer to $74,510, giving you a wide band to work with depending on the seniority of the position you are filling.
Dentist salary by city in California
City | Average Annual Salary |
San Francisco | $211,930 |
San Jose | $191,900 |
Sacramento | $174,390 |
San Diego | $168,540 |
Los Angeles | $147,970 |
Where you open or staff a practice in California has a direct impact on your compensation budget. San Francisco averages $211,930 per year while Los Angeles averages $147,970, a difference of $63,960 that you should factor into any location-based hiring or expansion decision. Candidates in the Bay Area will carry higher salary expectations than those in Southern California markets.
How California compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
California | $170,690 | $165,950 |
New York | $202,040 | $183,060 |
Washington | $195,810 | $169,730 |
Nevada | $178,460 | $162,200 |
Texas | $178,360 | $162,360 |
Colorado | $160,810 | $166,240 |
California sits below several comparable states on dentist compensation, which means employers here may find it somewhat easier to compete on salary than peers in New York or Washington. New York averages $202,040 and Washington averages $195,810, both well above California's $170,690 mean. Nevada and Texas are closer at $178,460 and $178,360 respectively, so California employers recruiting from those markets should expect candidates to arrive with similar salary expectations.
Frequently asked questions about dentist salary in California
How does California compare to other states for dentist salary?
What do the top-earning dentists make in California?
Dentists at the 90th percentile in California earn $272,730 per year. If you are competing for senior or highly specialized talent, plan for offers in that range or above. The gap between the 75th percentile at $213,260 and the 90th percentile at $272,730 shows that the top tier of the market commands a meaningful premium.
What is the salary range for a dentist in California?
The salary range for a dentist in California runs from $74,510 at the 10th percentile to $272,730 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market sits between $124,470 at the 25th percentile and $213,260 at the 75th percentile. Use the seniority and specialization of your open role to determine where within that range your offer should land.
What is the average dentist salary in California?
The average dentist salary in California is $170,690 per year, with a median of $165,950. The median is the more useful figure for most hiring decisions because a small number of high earners pull the average upward. Budget around the median as your baseline and adjust upward based on the experience level and specialty of the candidate you are targeting.
Dentist salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1021 (Dentists, General).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
Author
The Rippling Team
Global HR, IT, and Finance know-how directly from the Rippling team.
Hubs
Explore more
Aug 12, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Oregon (2026)
Oregon dentists earn a median $211,690 and average $240,170 — 25.5% above the national mean. See salary ranges by experience, city, and state.
Aug 13, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Washington (2026)
Dentist salaries in Washington range from $85,240 to $346,840. See median, average, and city-level data to set competitive offers for your next hire.
Aug 12, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Texas (2026)
Texas dentist salaries range from $83,990 to $308,220. See median pay, city breakdowns, and state comparisons to budget your next hire accurately.
Aug 10, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Colorado (2026)
Colorado dentists earn a median $166,240 annually. See salary percentiles, city breakdowns, and how Colorado compares to neighboring states.
Aug 12, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in New York (2026)
Dentist salaries in New York average $202,040, with pay ranging from $75,410 to $375,740. Compare rates by city, percentile, and state to budget your next hire.
Aug 10, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Hawaii (2026)
Hawaii dentists earn a median of $167,820 and an average of $227,370. See full salary ranges by percentile, city, and how Hawaii compares to nearby states.
Aug 13, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Pennsylvania (2026)
Pennsylvania dentists earn a median $163,390 per year. See salary percentiles, city breakdowns, and state comparisons to budget your next hire confidently.
Jul 20, 2026
|
2 min
Financial analyst salary in the US (2026)
Financial analyst salaries range from $63,720 to $180,860 in the US. See median pay, state-by-state benchmarks, and percentile data to set competitive offers.
See Rippling in action
Increase savings, automate busy work, and make better decisions by managing HR, IT, and Finance in one place.