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Dentist Salary in California (2026)
$79.79 per hour · take-home ≈ $113,336/year ($9,445/month) for a single filer
California ranks 33rd of 49 states for Dentist pay, with a median about 5% below the national average. Of the 16,770 Dentist jobs BLS counts in California, the typical worker earns $165,950 a year — though pay ranges from $74,510 for newcomers to $272,730 at the top.
Dentist pay range in California
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $74,510 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $124,470 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $165,950 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $213,260 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $272,730 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 16,770 Dentist jobs in California (occupation code 29-1021, “Dentists, General”).
Gross vs. take-home in California
A median Dentist salary of $165,950 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax, a single filer keeps about $113,336 — an effective tax rate of 31.7%.
| Gross (median) | $165,950 |
| Federal income tax | −$28,562 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$12,695 |
| California state income tax | −$11,357 |
| Take-home (annual) | $113,336 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $9,445 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free California paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Dentist make in California?
- The median Dentist salary in California is $165,950 per year ($79.79 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $124,470 and $213,260.
- What is the take-home pay for a Dentist in California?
- On the median salary of $165,950, a single filer in California takes home about $113,336 per year ($9,445 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 31.7%.
- How many Dentist jobs are there in California?
- BLS counts 16,770 Dentist jobs in California in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Dentists
Other salaries in California
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified California state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for California.