11 Highest Paying Cities For Dentists

Which are the highest paying cities for dentists?

I recently went to the dentist. Hello, dental insurance! It is basically the best thing in the world. Before this, I only went to the dentist when I absolutely had to, and it cost over $400 for one cavity as a self-pay patient, and the doctor was kind enough to give me a break. I have also given NYU dental school a try, they are a good low-cost option.

Except for the fact that the NYU dental school dentists are students–with some supervision. I remember leaving their office and saying “okay, and how long will my tongue be numb?” And she goes, “Oh, your tongue is numb? That shouldn’t happen.”  WHAT! That is not what I want to hear, woman who just shot me up with a huge needle and messed around in my mouth.

She called in her supervisor. Okay great, now things will be under control–this guy knows what he’s dong. He goes, “oh weird.” OH WEIRD! And then he says, “I’ve never seen this before.” WHAT! This calming notion was followed up with, “oh I think I read about this once.”  It turned out to be fine and the numbness wore off. It turns out lidocaine (they don’t use novocaine anymore) can hit nerves in your mouth–as it’s supposed to do in order to render you numb. Sometimes, though other nerves or other parts of nerves can get numb by accident. Not a big deal unless NO ONE in your dentist office who’s supposed to know something so trivial knows this fact.

Still, dentists are great. I firmly believe in them. As Rob Lowe’s character on The West Wing once said “your teeth are the best friends you’ve got, C.J.” He was talking to C.J. at the time, obviously.

For those who are still wondering what dentists exactly do, were you just born? Dentists diagnose and treat patients who have problems with teeth, gums and related parts of the mouth. Also, dentists provide information about how to take care of your teeth and on diet choices that affect oral health. Most of them working in their own practice, or in private clinics with a small staff. You may find interesting the fact to know that in the United States in 2014, dentists held 151,500 jobs, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report.

If you’ve ever wondered how to become a dentist, you can find out here, but before we answer you need to know that being a dentist is not an easy job–you have to understand how lidocaine can accidentally numb tongues–among other things. All dentists must have a license from the state they are working. Here you can see which are the 11 Highest Paying States for Dentists, the number of dentists per state and dentist salary per state. The licenses vary from one state to another, but in every state, in order to get a license you must have a degree from an accredited dental school and pass both practical and written exams.  If you want a more fine-grained approach, as in the 11 highest paying cities for dentists, stay tuned.

The average annual wage for dentists in May 2015 was $158,310. Employment of dentists is expected to increase by 18% from 2014 to 2024 in every area. Dentist pay per hour is approximate $76.11.  Looking at teeth all day never sounded so good. So you went through all that schooling and training and now you need a place to call “home,” or you’re planning to do all of this in the near future?  Well, then jump on our list of highest paying cities for dentists (we’ve used USA Wage as our main source).

 

11. Santa Rosa-Petaluma, California

Average annual wage: $182,890

Average hourly wage: $89.92

Entry level salary: $70,370

Number of employees: 80

Santa Rosa-Petaluma which is located in one of the most beautiful states, California found its way on our list of highest paying cities for dentists in the United States. Who doesn’t want to live and work in California? 

 

10. Lincoln, Nebraska

Average annual wage: $183,230

Average hourly wage: $88.09

Entry level salary: $101,610

Number of employees: 80
Nebraska also found its place on our list of highest paying cities for dentists with its city of Lincoln. As a dentist, you definitely should consider moving to Lincoln, Nebraska if you want to put an end to all worries which are financially related. Here, you won’t have to worry about unpaid bills, instead, you will get the chance to enjoy every single penny you earned–time to ramp up that tooth collection!

 

9. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Missouri

Average annual wage: $184,040

Average hourly wage: $88.48

Entry level salary: $39,490

Number of employees: 190
Located in Missouri, Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers is also in one of the best states for dentists. Think about the Missourian mouths you could be shining up right now.

 

8. Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, Pennsylvania

Average annual wage: $184,260

Average hourly wage: $88.58

Entry level salary: $97,140

Number of employees: 110
Pennsylvania wants you to have strong enough teeth to get through a cheesesteak!

 

7. South Bend-Mishawaka, Michigan

Average annual wage: $184,970

Average hourly wage: $88.92

Entry level salary: $96,960

Number of employees: 90

If you want to smile beautifully at beautiful lakes and college football teams, come get a taste of Pure Michigan.

 

6. Corpus Christi, Texas

Average annual wage: $185,610

Average hourly wage: $89.23

Entry level salary: $87,030

Number of employees: 70

Their teeth may be bigger, (one can only assume as supposedly EVERYTHING is down there) but they still need cleaning. Or at least a “rinse” as Tim Riggins would call it. We’re halfway through our list of highest paying cities for dentists and nowm let’s see the other half.

 

5. Southwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area, Wisconsin

Average annual wage: $186,060

Average hourly wage: $89.45

Entry level salary: $91,550

Number of employees: 50

An interestingly named area of Wisconsin to be sure. Keep the people of this great state from having teeth as holy as their cheese.

 

4. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, Georgia

Average annual wage: $186,310

Average hourly wage: $89.57

Entry level salary: $84,430

Number of employees: 1,540

If you’re a dentist or going to be one, looks like Georgia should be on your mind.

 

3. Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, Virginia

Average annual wage: $186,370

Average hourly wage: $89.60

Entry level salary: $98,380

Number of employees: 110

Yes Virginia, there really is a great salary for dentists here.

 

2. Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, North Carolina

Average annual wage: $186,730

Average hourly wage: $89.77

Entry level salary: $72,370

Number of employees: 70

Time to raise up, North Carolina–stop being obsessed with where people pee and start taking advantage of great dental care!

 

1. Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, Massachusetts

Average annual wage: $187,080

Average hourly wage: $89.94

Entry level salary: $88,010

Number of employees: 70

Well at least New England has something other than the Pats to talk about for ninety seconds.

These are the 11 highest paying cities for dentists, keep in mind that the numbers are average and we sorted the list based on the average annual salary. We hope we managed to help you with your decision where to move, live and work as a dentist, and earn a great living, of course.