Louisiana's average dentist salary of $176,540 places it below Florida ($195,930) and just below Texas ($178,360), but above Arkansas ($174,280) and Mississippi ($149,300). For employers, this means Louisiana is a mid-range market regionally, and candidates relocating from Florida may arrive with higher salary expectations than the local market typically supports. Anchoring your offer to the Louisiana median of $170,750 is a practical starting point for most hires.
Dentist salary in Louisiana (2026)
The average dentist salary in Louisiana is $176,540 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $170,750 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Louisiana employs 1,500 dentists across the state, and the $5,790 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Entry-level dentists in Louisiana typically earn around $80,530, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $309,360 threshold at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dentist hire in Louisiana, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $170,750 |
Average Annual Salary | $176,540 |
vs. National Average | 7.7% below the national mean of $191,350 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 1,500 employed dentists across Louisiana.
See how Rippling handles payroll, benefits, and onboarding for your next dentist hire.
Dentist salary percentiles in Louisiana
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $80,530 |
25th Percentile | $101,670 |
75th Percentile | $213,660 |
90th Percentile | $309,360 |
Employers setting an offer for a dentist in Louisiana should expect a wide range depending on experience level. A candidate at the start of their career will likely fall near $80,530, while a seasoned specialist can command $213,660 or more, with the highest earners reaching $309,360 and beyond.
Dentist salary by city in Louisiana
City | Average Annual Salary |
New Orleans | $188,460 |
Baton Rouge | $186,940 |
Lafayette | $170,020 |
Shreveport | $157,500 |
Lake Charles | $148,680 |
Where you hire in Louisiana will meaningfully affect your compensation budget for a dentist role. New Orleans and Baton Rouge sit at the top of the market at $188,460 and $186,940 respectively, while Lake Charles comes in at $148,680, a difference of nearly $40,000 compared to the highest-paying metro. Employers hiring in smaller markets may find more budget flexibility, but should still account for candidate expectations shaped by statewide salary data.
How Louisiana compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Louisiana | $176,540 | $170,750 |
Florida | $195,930 | $174,900 |
Texas | $178,360 | $162,360 |
Arkansas | $174,280 | $178,930 |
Mississippi | $149,300 | $143,660 |
Louisiana sits in the middle of the regional market, making it a moderately cost-effective state for dentist hiring compared to Florida and roughly on par with Texas. Louisiana's mean of $176,540 trails Florida's $195,930 but edges out Arkansas at $174,280 and Mississippi at $149,300. Employers in Louisiana can expect compensation expectations from candidates that are broadly consistent with neighboring states, with Florida representing the clearest premium market in the region.
Frequently asked questions about dentist salary in Louisiana
How does Louisiana compare to other states for dentist salary?
What do the top-earning dentists make in Louisiana?
Dentists at the 90th percentile in Louisiana earn $309,360 per year. The 75th percentile sits at $213,660, so employers competing for senior or specialized talent should budget well above the statewide median. Offers in the $213,660 to $309,360 range will be necessary to attract candidates at the upper end of the Louisiana market.
What is the salary range for a dentist in Louisiana?
The salary range for a dentist in Louisiana runs from $80,530 at the 10th percentile to $309,360 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market falls between $101,670 at the 25th percentile and $213,660 at the 75th percentile, which is where most established practitioners will anchor their expectations. Use the 25th-to-75th percentile band as your core budgeting range and adjust based on the candidate's experience and specialization.
What is the average dentist salary in Louisiana?
The average dentist salary in Louisiana is $176,540 per year. The median of $170,750 is a more grounded benchmark for most hiring decisions, since a smaller group of high earners pulls the average above what a typical candidate will expect. For budget planning, start with the median and adjust upward based on the seniority of the role you are filling.
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 13, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Mississippi (2026)
Mississippi dentists earn a median $143,660 per year. See salary percentiles, city breakdowns, and state comparisons to budget your next hire.
Aug 13, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Arkansas (2026)
Dentist salaries in Arkansas range from $99,010 to $223,010. See median pay, city breakdowns, and how Arkansas compares to neighboring states.
Aug 13, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Oklahoma (2026)
Oklahoma dentists earn a median salary of $166,170, ranging from $97,290 to $346,890. See how city, experience, and specialization affect your hiring budget.
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 North Carolina (2026)
North Carolina dentists earn a median $207,000 per year. Compare salaries by city, percentile, and neighboring states to budget your next hire.
Aug 13, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in South Carolina (2026)
Dentist salaries in South Carolina range from $96,920 to $310,840. See median pay, city breakdowns, and how SC compares to neighboring states.
Aug 12, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Florida (2026)
Florida dentists earn a median $174,900 and average $195,930. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and how Florida compares to other 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.