90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary Data — Austin, TX
Updated April 28, 2026

Dentist Salary in Austin: $197K Median

Dentists in Austin, TX earn between $150K and $328K per year.

That's +15% above the US national median of $170,910 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Dentist salary in Austin, TX is $196,546 per year — +15% above the US national median of $170,910. Salaries range from $149,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $327,750 (90th percentile). Dentists in Austin earned approximately $29,780 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$196,546
+560.0% YoY · $16,379/mo
Entry
$161,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$287,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$327,750
Senior/lead
Dentist Salary — Austin vs Nearby
Austin
$197K
Houston
$179K
+10% vs Austin
San Antonio
$159K
+24% vs Austin
Dallas
$179K
+10% vs Austin

Free ATS scan · Austin employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Dentists in Austin

Dentists diagnose and treat oral health conditions through preventive care, fillings, extractions, and specialty procedures.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient examinations
  • Restorative procedures
  • Preventive care
  • Treatment planning
  • Practice management

Education & Certifications

Typical path: DDS or DMD (4-year doctoral program)

In-demand certifications

DDS or DMDState dental licenseDEA registrationCPR

Austin Job Market

Texas tech capital with major Tesla, Apple, Oracle, and startup presence.

Population
974K
Cost of Living
119
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.7%
Median Home
$510K

Top Industries in Austin

TechGovernmentEducationHealthcareMusic/Entertainment

Top Employers Hiring Dentists

Major employers active in Austin or hiring remotely from this metro.

Private practices (most)
Heartland Dental
Aspen Dental
Pacific Dental Services
Hospital systems

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Dentist listings.

Digital dentistryCosmetic proceduresPractice managementCAD/CAM (CEREC)Implants

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

DDSpatient carerestorative dentistrypreventive careCERECpractice management
Career Outlook
+4% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Dentist roles growing 4%. Specialty dentists (orthodontists, oral surgeons) earning $300K+.

Dentist Salary Breakdown — Austin

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$149,500$196,546$327,750
Monthly$12,458$16,379$27,313
Weekly$2,875$3,780$6,303
Hourly$72$94$158

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($170,910) adjusted for Austin's cost-of-living multiplier (1.15×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Dentist Take-Home Pay in Austin

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$146,263.843
Per month$12,189
Biweekly paycheck$5,626
Effective tax rate25.6%

Tax Breakdown on $196,546

Gross salary$196,546
Federal income tax−$36,514.04
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$13,768.117
Take-home (net)$146,263.843

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Dentist Salary by Experience — Austin

Career-stage progression for Dentists in Austin.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$148,120
2–3 yr$161,000
4–6 yr$224,250
7–10 yr$287,500
11–15 yr$339,250
15+ yr$307,625

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Austin's 1.15× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$29,780
2026 median:$196,546
Change:+$166,766

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Digital dentistry and Cosmetic procedures.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$165,165
Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.

How to Negotiate Your Dentist Salary in Austin

Walk-away anchor: $178,678 (offers below this are below market for Austin).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $288K–$328K for experienced roles, citing Austin market data and your specific Digital dentistry/Cosmetic procedures expertise.

Dentist Salary FAQ — Austin

What is the average Dentist salary in Austin, TX?
The average Dentist salary in Austin is $196,546 per year as of April 2026 — $16,379/month, $3,780/week, or about $94/hour. Salaries range from $149,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $327,750 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Austin's cost-of-living multiplier (1.15×).
Is $196,546 a good Dentist salary in Austin?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Austin's cost-of-living index is 119 (vs 100 nationally), giving $196,546 a real purchasing power of approximately $165,165 in national terms. Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.
Can you live on $196,546 in Austin?
Dual-income households are functionally required to raise a family at this cost level. Single earners on the median typically rent rather than buy and delay starting a family. Many residents spend 35-40% of pre-tax income on rent here, but the textbook target is still 30%. Going above 35% will materially crimp retirement and emergency savings. For Austin specifically (median home price $510,000), a $196,546 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $196,546 enough for a single person in Austin?
A single adult in Austin typically needs ~$53,550 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $196,546 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $196,546 enough for a couple in Austin?
A couple (one earner) in Austin typically needs ~$85,680 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $196,546 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $196,546 each ($393,092 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $196,546 enough for a family of 4 in Austin?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Austin typically needs ~$130,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $196,546 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Dentist income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Austin typically run $18K-$33K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Dentist in Austin?
On a $196,546 Dentist salary in Austin, TX, you take home approximately $146,263.843 per year ($12,189/month, $5,626 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $36,514.04, state $0, FICA $13,768.117. Effective tax rate: 25.6%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Dentists in Austin earn compared to the US average?
Dentists in Austin earn approximately 15% more than the US national median for this role ($170,910 nationally vs $196,546 in Austin). However, Austin's cost-of-living index of 119 means real purchasing power is approximately $165,165 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Dentist earn in Austin?
Entry-level Dentists in Austin typically start at around $161,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Dentists earn $287,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $327,750+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Dentist salaries in Austin increase in 2026?
Yes — Dentist salaries in Austin grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $29,780 in 2025 to $196,546 in 2026 (+$166,766). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Digital dentistry and Cosmetic procedures demand.
What's the job outlook for Dentists in Austin?
Dentist roles growing 4%. Specialty dentists (orthodontists, oral surgeons) earning $300K+. Austin's top industries include Tech, Government, Education, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.7% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Dentists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Dentists are: Digital dentistry, Cosmetic procedures, Practice management, CAD/CAM (CEREC), Implants. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Austin.
Who are the top employers hiring Dentists in Austin?
Top employers hiring Dentists in or near Austin include: Private practices (most), Heartland Dental, Aspen Dental, Pacific Dental Services, Hospital systems. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Dentist salary in Austin?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Dentist salary in Austin?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Digital dentistry, Cosmetic procedures, Practice management) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., DDS or DMD or State dental license). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Dentist in Austin?
DDS or DMD (4-year doctoral program) is the typical path. However, Austin's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Dentist salary figures for Austin are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($170,910) by Austin's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.15× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Austin

Physician →Registered Nurse →Pharmacist →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Nurse Practitioner →

Dentist Salary in Other Cities

Houston, TX$179KSan Antonio, TX$159KSan Diego, CA$202KDallas, TX$179KFort Worth, TX$174KDenver, CO$188KEl Paso, TX$145KPortland, OR$188K

Land a $197K+ Dentist Role in Austin

Knowing the salary is step one. Step two: getting past the ATS. CVCraft scans your resume, finds missing keywords, and fixes formatting issues in 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free

No signup required · Works for all Healthcare roles