California Median
$165,950
per year
Hourly Rate
$79.78
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $170,950
State Rank
#33 of 47
16,770 employed here
How much does a Dentist, General make in California?
Dentists, General in California take home a median of $165,950 annually — roughly $79.78 an hour — which runs 3% below the national median of $170,950.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $74,510 while the top 10% make $272,730 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $124,470 and $213,260 a year.
Dentist, General salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,510 | $35.82 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $124,470 | $59.84 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $165,950 | $79.78 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $213,260 | $102.53 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $272,730 | $131.12 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 33rd out of 47 states and territories for Dentist, General pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Dentist, General salary in other states
Alaska $230,990North Dakota $220,660Minnesota $219,200Tennessee $215,290Oregon $211,690Maine $209,200North Carolina $207,000Georgia $206,760Missouri $204,960Vermont $204,960Virginia $197,110Arizona $194,180Wisconsin $193,690New York $183,060Massachusetts $181,600Iowa $181,520Nebraska $179,750Arkansas $178,930New Hampshire $177,480Florida $174,900New Jersey $171,330Louisiana $170,750West Virginia $170,370Michigan $169,930Washington $169,730Maryland $168,500Hawaii $167,820Ohio $167,410Montana $167,200Indiana $166,650Colorado $166,240Oklahoma $166,170Pennsylvania $163,390Texas $162,360Nevada $162,200Rhode Island $161,560Connecticut $160,440South Carolina $158,640South Dakota $158,140Illinois $156,110New Mexico $155,260Mississippi $143,660Kentucky $134,160Utah $133,320Idaho $124,190Wyoming $123,830
Working as a Dentist, General in California
Nationally, about 124,000 people work as Dentists, General in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($165,950) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Dentist, General make in California?
The median Dentist, General salary in California is $165,950 per year, or about $79.78 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $74,510 at the entry level to $272,730 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Dentists, General about 3% less than the national median of $170,950. California ranks 33rd out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Dentists, General?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $165,950 a year. About 16,770 Dentists, General are employed in California. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Dentist, General salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.