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

Dentist Salary in Long Beach: $205K Median

Dentists in Long Beach, CA earn between $156K and $342K per year.

That's +20% above the US national median of $170,910 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Dentist salary in Long Beach, CA is $205,092 per year — +20% above the US national median of $170,910. Salaries range from $156,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $342,000 (90th percentile). Dentists in Long Beach earned approximately $31,075 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$205,092
+560.0% YoY · $17,091/mo
Entry
$168,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$300,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$342,000
Senior/lead
Dentist Salary — Long Beach vs Nearby
Long Beach
$205K
Los Angeles
$219K
-6% vs Long Beach
San Diego
$202K
+2% vs Long Beach
San Francisco
$265K
-23% vs Long Beach

Free ATS scan · Long Beach employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Dentists in Long Beach

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

Long Beach Job Market

Major Pacific port city with strong aerospace and healthcare presence.

Population
467K
Cost of Living
153
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5%
Median Home
$770K

Top Industries in Long Beach

AerospaceHealthcareLogistics (Port)TourismEducation

Top Employers Hiring Dentists

Major employers active in Long Beach 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 — Long Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$156,000$205,092$342,000
Monthly$13,000$17,091$28,500
Weekly$3,000$3,944$6,577
Hourly$75$99$164

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($170,910) adjusted for Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (1.20×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Dentist Take-Home Pay in Long Beach

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$141,354.826
Per month$11,780
Biweekly paycheck$5,437
Effective tax rate31.1%

Tax Breakdown on $205,092

Gross salary$205,092
Federal income tax−$38,565.08
California state tax−$11,280.06
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$13,892.034
Take-home (net)$141,354.826

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 — Long Beach

Career-stage progression for Dentists in Long Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$154,560
2–3 yr$168,000
4–6 yr$234,000
7–10 yr$300,000
11–15 yr$354,000
15+ yr$321,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Long Beach's 1.20× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$31,075
2026 median:$205,092
Change:+$174,017

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
$134,047
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Dentist Salary in Long Beach

Walk-away anchor: $186,447 (offers below this are below market for Long Beach).

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 $300K–$342K for experienced roles, citing Long Beach market data and your specific Digital dentistry/Cosmetic procedures expertise.

Dentist Salary FAQ — Long Beach

What is the average Dentist salary in Long Beach, CA?
The average Dentist salary in Long Beach is $205,092 per year as of April 2026 — $17,091/month, $3,944/week, or about $99/hour. Salaries range from $156,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $342,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (1.20×).
Is $205,092 a good Dentist salary in Long Beach?
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. Long Beach's cost-of-living index is 153 (vs 100 nationally), giving $205,092 a real purchasing power of approximately $134,047 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $205,092 in Long Beach?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Long Beach specifically (median home price $770,000), a $205,092 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $205,092 enough for a single person in Long Beach?
A single adult in Long Beach typically needs ~$68,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $205,092 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $205,092 enough for a couple in Long Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Long Beach typically needs ~$110,160 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $205,092 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $205,092 each ($410,184 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $205,092 enough for a family of 4 in Long Beach?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Long Beach typically needs ~$168,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $205,092 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 Long Beach typically run $23K-$43K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Dentist in Long Beach?
On a $205,092 Dentist salary in Long Beach, CA, you take home approximately $141,354.826 per year ($11,780/month, $5,437 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $38,565.08, state $11,280.06, FICA $13,892.034. Effective tax rate: 31.1%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Dentists in Long Beach earn compared to the US average?
Dentists in Long Beach earn approximately 20% more than the US national median for this role ($170,910 nationally vs $205,092 in Long Beach). However, Long Beach's cost-of-living index of 153 means real purchasing power is approximately $134,047 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Dentist earn in Long Beach?
Entry-level Dentists in Long Beach typically start at around $168,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Dentists earn $300,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $342,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Dentist salaries in Long Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Dentist salaries in Long Beach grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $31,075 in 2025 to $205,092 in 2026 (+$174,017). 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 Long Beach?
Dentist roles growing 4%. Specialty dentists (orthodontists, oral surgeons) earning $300K+. Long Beach's top industries include Aerospace, Healthcare, Logistics (Port), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
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 Long Beach.
Who are the top employers hiring Dentists in Long Beach?
Top employers hiring Dentists in or near Long Beach 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 Long Beach?
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 Long Beach?
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 Long Beach?
DDS or DMD (4-year doctoral program) is the typical path. However, Long Beach'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 Long Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($170,910) by Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.20× — 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 Long Beach

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

Dentist Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$219KSan Diego, CA$202KSan Francisco, CA$265KFresno, CA$162KSacramento, CA$185KOakland, CA$239K

Land a $205K+ Dentist Role in Long Beach

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