The salary range for a dentist in Michigan runs from $109,960 at the 10th percentile to $303,980 at the 90th percentile. When budgeting a hire, use the 25th percentile of $132,570 as a floor for entry-level candidates and the 75th percentile of $212,630 as a reasonable benchmark for experienced practitioners. The wide range reflects meaningful differences in seniority, specialization, and practice setting across the state.
Dentist salary in Michigan (2026)
The average annual salary for a dentist in Michigan is $188,930. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $169,930 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Michigan employs 3,620 dentists across the state, and the $19,000 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior dentists in Michigan typically earn around $109,960, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $303,980 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dentist hire in Michigan, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $169,930 |
Average Annual Salary | $188,930 |
vs. National Average | 1.3% below the national mean of $191,350 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 3,620 employed dentists across Michigan.
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Dentist salary percentiles in Michigan
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $109,960 |
25th Percentile | $132,570 |
75th Percentile | $212,630 |
90th Percentile | $303,980 |
Employers hiring an experienced dentist in Michigan should expect offers well above the $169,930 median, with senior specialists reaching $303,980 at the 90th percentile. The wide spread from $109,960 to $303,980 means that seniority and specialization drive compensation more than geography alone in this market.
Dentist salary by city in Michigan
City | Average Annual Salary |
Flint | $218,840 |
Ann Arbor | $208,620 |
Grand Rapids | $189,870 |
Lansing | $188,320 |
Detroit | $187,110 |
Location within Michigan can meaningfully shift your compensation budget, so employers should set offers based on the metro market rather than the statewide average. Flint leads all metros at $218,840, while Detroit comes in at $187,110, a difference of more than $31,000 in average annual pay. Grand Rapids and Lansing cluster close to the statewide mean, making them more predictable markets for budget planning.
How Michigan compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Michigan | $188,930 | $169,930 |
Minnesota | $211,780 | $219,200 |
Wisconsin | $203,600 | $193,690 |
Indiana | $195,140 | $166,650 |
Illinois | $193,050 | $156,110 |
Ohio | $180,440 | $167,410 |
Michigan sits toward the lower end of this regional peer group, which gives employers here a modest cost advantage when recruiting dentists compared to Minnesota or Wisconsin. Michigan's mean of $188,930 trails Minnesota's $211,780 by more than $22,000, but it runs ahead of Ohio's $180,440. Employers competing for candidates who have offers from multiple Midwest states should be aware that Minnesota and Wisconsin set a higher compensation benchmark in this market.
Frequently asked questions about dentist salary in Michigan
What is the salary range for a dentist in Michigan?
What do the top-earning dentists make in Michigan?
Dentists at the 90th percentile in Michigan earn $303,980 per year. The statewide mean of $188,930 sits well below that threshold, which tells employers that top earners represent a distinct segment of the market rather than the norm. When competing for senior talent in Michigan, plan for offers that approach or exceed the $212,630 75th percentile as a starting point for experienced candidates.
What is the average dentist salary in Michigan?
The average dentist salary in Michigan is $188,930 per year, which runs 1.3% below the national mean of $191,350. The median of $169,930 is lower because a smaller group of high earners pulls the average up, so the median is the more useful anchor for most offer decisions. Use the median as your baseline and adjust upward based on the candidate's experience and the specific metro market you are hiring in.
How does Michigan compare to other states for dentist salary?
Michigan's average dentist salary of $188,930 places it below all four higher-paying neighbors in this comparison, trailing Minnesota at $211,780, Wisconsin at $203,600, Indiana at $195,140, and Illinois at $193,050. Only Ohio, at $180,440, comes in below Michigan. Employers in Michigan can use this regional context to set competitive offers without necessarily matching the higher benchmarks set by Minnesota or Wisconsin.
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.
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The Rippling Team
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