The average dentist salary in Missouri is $241,580 per year. That figure sits 26.3% above the national mean of $191,350, so Missouri is a higher-cost market than most states for this role. When budgeting, also consider the median of $204,960, which better reflects what a typical candidate will expect.
Dentist salary in Missouri (2026)
The average dentist salary in Missouri is $241,580 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $204,960 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Missouri employs 2,440 dentists, and the $36,620 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Entry-level dentists in Missouri typically earn around $95,610, while senior specialists commonly reach or exceed the $427,970 level. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dentist hire in Missouri, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $204,960 |
Average Annual Salary | $241,580 |
vs. National Average | 26.3% above the national mean of $191,350 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 2,440 employed dentists across Missouri.
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Dentist salary percentiles in Missouri
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $95,610 |
25th Percentile | $131,980 |
75th Percentile | $334,680 |
90th Percentile | $427,970 |
Employers setting an offer for a dentist in Missouri should expect a wide range depending on experience level, with the 25th percentile at $131,980 and the 75th percentile at $334,680. Candidates with specialized skills or established patient panels commonly reach the $427,970 level, so offers for senior roles should be anchored well above the median.
Dentist salary by city in Missouri
City | Average Annual Salary |
St. Louis | $261,250 |
Springfield | $228,740 |
Columbia | $222,070 |
Joplin | $212,490 |
Kansas City | $197,770 |
Location meaningfully affects what you will need to budget for a dentist hire in Missouri. St. Louis commands the highest average at $261,250, while Kansas City comes in at $197,770, a difference of $63,480 that should factor directly into your compensation planning if you are hiring across multiple markets.
How Missouri compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Missouri | $241,580 | $204,960 |
Tennessee | $210,700 | $215,290 |
Indiana | $195,140 | $166,650 |
Illinois | $193,050 | $156,110 |
Ohio | $180,440 | $167,410 |
Missouri sits at the top of this peer group, which means employers here face higher compensation expectations than those hiring in neighboring states. Missouri's mean of $241,580 exceeds Tennessee's $210,700 and Ohio's $180,440, so budget assumptions borrowed from those markets will likely fall short when competing for talent in Missouri.
Frequently asked questions about dentist salary in Missouri
What is the average dentist salary in Missouri?
What is the salary range for a dentist in Missouri?
The salary range for a dentist in Missouri runs from $95,610 at the 10th percentile to $427,970 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market sits between $131,980 at the 25th percentile and $334,680 at the 75th percentile. Use those middle figures to anchor offers for candidates with moderate experience, and reserve the upper range for senior specialists with established practices.
How does Missouri compare to other states for dentist salary?
Missouri leads the comparison group with a mean of $241,580, ahead of Tennessee at $210,700, Indiana at $195,140, Illinois at $193,050, and Ohio at $180,440. Employers recruiting dentists in Missouri should expect to pay more than they would in any of these neighboring states. That premium reflects both market demand and the compensation expectations of candidates already working in Missouri.
What do the top-earning dentists make in Missouri?
The 90th percentile for dentists in Missouri is $427,970, which represents what senior specialists in the state typically reach or exceed. Offers for highly experienced candidates or those with specialized skills should be benchmarked against this figure rather than the median. Plan for compensation well above $334,680 when competing for top-tier talent in this market.
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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