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Public health dentists play a critical role in promoting oral health and preventing dental diseases in communities. In the United States, the average salary for this profession is $135,273, with variations based on experience, location, and workplace setting.
Salaries can differ significantly depending on the state. For example, dentists in states like California and New York often earn more due to higher living costs and demand for services. Understanding these regional differences can help job seekers make informed career choices.
Entry-level public health dentists may start with lower salaries, while those with more years of experience or specialized skills see substantial increases. Additionally, dentists involved in research or educational roles may find higher compensation.
With numerous public health initiatives and community programs, there's a growing demand for skilled dentists. Exploring job openings in various healthcare settings can lead to lucrative opportunities. Staying informed about trends and salary estimates will empower you to navigate your career effectively in this vital field.
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The average public health dentist salary in New Jersey, Alaska, and North Dakota are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average public health dentist salary states are Ohio, New Mexico, and Texas.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | $160,447 | $77.14 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $159,741 | $76.80 |
| 3 | Alaska | $160,663 | $77.24 |
| 4 | West Virginia | $147,197 | $70.77 |
| 5 | Delaware | $158,313 | $76.11 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $159,926 | $76.89 |
| 7 | South Dakota | $138,824 | $66.74 |
| 8 | Kentucky | $142,605 | $68.56 |
| 9 | Iowa | $145,137 | $69.78 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $159,724 | $76.79 |
| 11 | Indiana | $137,054 | $65.89 |
| 12 | Mississippi | $144,408 | $69.43 |
| 13 | New Jersey | $163,818 | $78.76 |
| 14 | Nebraska | $147,450 | $70.89 |
| 15 | Maine | $141,695 | $68.12 |
| 16 | North Carolina | $141,934 | $68.24 |
| 17 | Missouri | $148,507 | $71.40 |
| 18 | New York | $148,014 | $71.16 |
| 19 | Illinois | $150,707 | $72.46 |
| 20 | Vermont | $135,618 | $65.20 |
| 21 | Michigan | $135,746 | $65.26 |
| 22 | Montana | $136,327 | $65.54 |
| 23 | Kansas | $135,584 | $65.18 |
| 24 | Nevada | $138,162 | $66.42 |
| 25 | Utah | $142,065 | $68.30 |
| 26 | Massachusetts | $135,780 | $65.28 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $136,923 | $65.83 |
| 28 | District of Columbia | $157,202 | $75.58 |
| 29 | Louisiana | $128,638 | $61.85 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | $130,338 | $62.66 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $122,052 | $58.68 |
| 32 | Florida | $125,554 | $60.36 |
| 33 | Oregon | $138,835 | $66.75 |
| 34 | South Carolina | $134,133 | $64.49 |
| 35 | Washington | $130,406 | $62.70 |
| 36 | Arizona | $131,010 | $62.99 |
| 37 | California | $142,345 | $68.44 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $115,329 | $55.45 |
| 39 | Ohio | $113,995 | $54.81 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $115,127 | $55.35 |
| 41 | Minnesota | $130,183 | $62.59 |
| 42 | Idaho | $123,987 | $59.61 |
| 43 | Colorado | $127,657 | $61.37 |
| 44 | Texas | $111,435 | $53.57 |
| 45 | Virginia | $124,152 | $59.69 |
| 46 | Wyoming | $111,135 | $53.43 |
| 47 | New Mexico | $113,010 | $54.33 |
| 48 | Georgia | $120,886 | $58.12 |
| 49 | Alabama | $114,186 | $54.90 |
| 50 | Maryland | $110,479 | $53.11 |
| 51 | Hawaii | $104,340 | $50.16 |
The highest-paying cities for public health dentists are New York, NY, Raleigh, NC, and Los Angeles, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $159,198 | $76.54 |
| 2 | Raleigh, NC | $153,693 | $73.89 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $150,351 | $72.28 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $137,631 | $66.17 |
| 5 | Arlington, VA | $129,615 | $62.31 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $125,437 | $60.31 |
| 7 | Little Rock, AR | $118,216 | $56.83 |
| 8 | El Paso, TX | $113,390 | $54.51 |
| 9 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $105,891 | $50.91 |
A public health dentist's salary ranges from $64,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $284,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $284,000 | $23,667 | $137 |
| 75th Percentile | $199,000 | $16,583 | $96 |
| Average | $135,273 | $11,273 | $65 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,000 | $7,583 | $44 |
| 10th Percentile | $64,000 | $5,333 | $31 |
The highest paying types of public health dentists are certified registered nurse anesthetist, dentist, and pediatric nurse practitioner.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Nurse | $54,998 | $4,583 | $26.44 | 282,124 |
| Staff Nurse | $68,342 | $5,695 | $32.86 | 699,636 |
| Registered Nurse Charge Nurse | $71,342 | $5,945 | $34.30 | 645,134 |
| Registered Nurse Med/Surg | $84,812 | $7,068 | $40.78 | 515,200 |
| Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner | $97,820 | $8,152 | $47.03 | 486,582 |
| Registered Nurse | $73,349 | $6,112 | $35.26 | 646,159 |
Top companies hiring public health dentists now:
Public health dentist salaries at CHRISTUS Health and Harris Health System are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average public health dentist salary at companies like NeighborCare Holdings Inc and Ods Technologies, L.P. are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHRISTUS Health | $213,297 | $102.55 |
| 2 | Harris Health System | $210,493 | $101.20 |
| 3 | NeighborCare Holdings Inc | $143,981 | $69.22 |
| 4 | Ods Technologies, L.P. | $143,981 | $69.22 |
| 5 | Americorps | $136,642 | $65.69 |
| 6 | The Arora Group | $127,662 | $61.38 |
| 7 | Moda Health | $127,372 | $61.24 |
| 8 | Indian Health Service | $126,721 | $60.92 |
| 9 | City of El Paso, Texas - Municipal Government | $124,346 | $59.78 |
| 10 | KPG | $122,694 | $58.99 |
| 11 | City of Houston | $117,661 | $56.57 |
| 12 | Centers For Disease Control And Prevention | $106,325 | $51.12 |
| 13 | Nyc Parks | $100,483 | $48.31 |
| 14 | Amazon | $97,042 | $46.65 |
| 15 | NC.gov | $70,377 | $33.84 |
The average public health dentist salary has risen by $15,527 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average public health dentist earned $119,746 annually, but today, they earn $135,273 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for public health dentists over the last decade.
Compare public health dentist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare public health dentist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $135,000 | $65.03 | +19.7% |
| 2024 | $109,000 | $52.23 | +0.2% |
| 2023 | $108,000 | $52.15 | -29.8% |
| 2022 | $141,000 | $67.71 | +9.3% |
| 2021 | $128,000 | $61.38 | +1.2% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raybrex Dental Recruiting | Dentist In Community Health | Crescent City, CA | 06/10/2025 | $210,000 |
| Raybrex Dental Recruiting | Dentist In Community Health | Crescent City, CA | 04/24/2025 | $210,000 |
| Jefferson County (Al | Clinical Dentist-Jefferson County Department of Health | Alabama | 04/15/2025 | $125,403 |
| Department of Veterans Affairs | Dentist-Current, Permanent Employees of EL Paso VA Health Care System | Washington, DC | 03/29/2025 | $121,020 |
| State of New York | Public Health Dentist Lmap | Menands, NY | 03/25/2025 | $152,158 |
| Sault Tribe Housing Authority | Govt. Health-Staff Dentist) Open Until Filled | Bowne, MI | 02/18/2025 | $56,634 |
| Career Now Brands | Public Health | Ione, OR | 02/17/2025 | $90,430 |
| Psyphycare | Part-Time Dentist for A Health Center | Albion, NY | 02/14/2025 | $208,700 |
| Department of Veterans Affairs | Dentist-Current, Permanent Employees of VA South Texas Health Care System Only | Washington, DC | 02/12/2025 | $115,587 |
| Department of Veterans Affairs | Dentist-Current, Permanent Employees of Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System | Washington, DC | 01/28/2025 | $121,020 |
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