The average dentist salary in Indiana is $195,140 per year. The median of $166,650 is the more practical anchor for most hiring decisions, since a smaller group of high earners pulls the mean above what a typical candidate will expect. Use the median as your baseline and adjust upward based on the candidate's experience and specialization.
Dentist salary in Indiana (2026)
The average dentist salary in Indiana is $195,140 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $166,650 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Indiana employs 2,300 dentists, and the $28,490 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Entry-level dentists in Indiana typically earn around $81,370, while senior specialists commonly reach or exceed the 90th percentile threshold of $327,980. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dentist hire in Indiana, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $166,650 |
Average Annual Salary | $195,140 |
vs. National Average | 2.0% above the national mean of $191,350 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 2,300 employed dentists across Indiana.
See how Rippling handles payroll, benefits, and onboarding for your next dentist hire.
Dentist salary percentiles in Indiana
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $81,370 |
25th Percentile | $123,420 |
75th Percentile | $281,220 |
90th Percentile | $327,980 |
Employers setting an offer for a dentist in Indiana should expect a wide range depending on experience, with the 25th percentile at $123,420 and the 90th percentile at $327,980. Candidates with established patient panels or specialized skills will push toward the upper end of that range, so build flexibility into your compensation structure from the start.
Dentist salary by city in Indiana
City | Average Annual Salary |
Evansville | $231,540 |
Fort Wayne | $224,170 |
South Bend | $204,090 |
Indianapolis | $182,640 |
Bloomington | $177,300 |
Location should factor directly into your compensation budget, since average dentist pay varies by more than $54,000 across Indiana metros. Evansville leads at $231,540 and Bloomington sits at the lower end at $177,300, so employers in smaller markets may find more budget flexibility while those recruiting in Evansville or Fort Wayne will need to set offers closer to the top of the state range.
How Indiana compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Indiana | $195,140 | $166,650 |
Tennessee | $210,700 | $215,290 |
Illinois | $193,050 | $156,110 |
Michigan | $188,930 | $169,930 |
Ohio | $180,440 | $167,410 |
Kentucky | $157,630 | $134,160 |
Indiana sits in the middle of the regional market, making it a reasonably cost-effective state for dentist hiring compared to Tennessee but more expensive than Kentucky. Indiana's mean of $195,140 tracks closely with Illinois at $193,050 and Michigan at $188,930, so employers competing across state lines will find compensation expectations largely aligned with neighboring markets.
Frequently asked questions about dentist salary in Indiana
What is the average dentist salary in Indiana?
What is the salary range for a dentist in Indiana?
The salary range for a dentist in Indiana runs from $81,370 at the 10th percentile to $327,980 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market sits between $123,420 at the 25th percentile and $281,220 at the 75th percentile, which is where most competitive offers will land. Build your budget around that middle band and plan for flexibility if you are targeting experienced candidates.
What do the top-earning dentists make in Indiana?
The top-earning dentists in Indiana reach or exceed $327,980 at the 90th percentile. Candidates at this level typically bring specialized skills, established patient volume, or ownership stakes that justify compensation well above the median. When recruiting for senior or specialist roles, expect offers to compete in this upper range.
How does Indiana compare to other states for dentist salary?
Indiana's average dentist salary of $195,140 places it above Illinois at $193,050, Michigan at $188,930, Ohio at $180,440, and Kentucky at $157,630, but below Tennessee at $210,700. For employers hiring across state lines, Indiana represents a mid-range market where compensation expectations align closely with most neighboring states. Candidates relocating from Tennessee may expect higher offers, so factor that into your negotiation range.
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 Illinois (2026)
Illinois dentist salaries range from $123,920 to $291,530. See median, average, and city-level pay data to budget your next hire accurately.
Aug 10, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Wisconsin (2026)
Wisconsin dentists earn $203,600 on average. See salary percentiles, city breakdowns, and state comparisons to set competitive offers for your next hire.
Aug 10, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Michigan (2026)
Michigan dentists earn a median salary of $169,930. See pay by city, percentile, and how Michigan compares to neighboring states.
Aug 10, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Ohio (2026)
Ohio dentists earn a median $167,410 annually. Compare salaries by city, percentile, and neighboring states to set competitive offers.
Aug 12, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Minnesota (2026)
Minnesota dentists earn a median $219,200 — 10.7% above the national average. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and how the state compares to neighbors.
Aug 10, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Missouri (2026)
Missouri dentists earn an average of $241,580 per year. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and how Missouri compares to neighboring states.
Aug 13, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Kentucky (2026)
Kentucky dentists earn a median $134,160 annually. See salary percentiles, city breakdowns, and how Kentucky compares to neighboring states.
Aug 21, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in Delaware (2026)
Delaware dental hygienists earn a median $98,910 per year. See salary percentiles, city breakdowns, and regional comparisons 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.