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2026 Salary Data — Phoenix, AZ
Updated April 28, 2026

Dentist Salary in Phoenix: $171K Median

Dentists in Phoenix, AZ earn between $130K and $285K per year.

That's +0% above the US national median of $170,910 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Dentist salary in Phoenix, AZ is $170,910 per year — +0% above the US national median of $170,910. Salaries range from $130,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $285,000 (90th percentile). Dentists in Phoenix earned approximately $25,895 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$170,910
+560.0% YoY · $14,243/mo
Entry
$140,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$250,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$285,000
Senior/lead
Dentist Salary — Phoenix vs Nearby
Phoenix
$171K
Tucson
$154K
+11% vs Phoenix
Mesa
$167K
+2% vs Phoenix
Dallas
$179K
-5% vs Phoenix

Free ATS scan · Phoenix employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Dentists in Phoenix

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

Phoenix Job Market

Fast-growing Sunbelt city with major TSMC semiconductor expansion driving tech jobs.

Population
1608K
Cost of Living
103
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$425K

Top Industries in Phoenix

Tech (TSMC fab)HealthcareAerospaceTourismManufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Dentists

Major employers active in Phoenix 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 — Phoenix

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$130,000$170,910$285,000
Monthly$10,833$14,243$23,750
Weekly$2,500$3,287$5,481
Hourly$63$82$137

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($170,910) adjusted for Phoenix's cost-of-living multiplier (1.00×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Dentist Take-Home Pay in Phoenix

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$123,201.235
Per month$10,267
Biweekly paycheck$4,739
Effective tax rate27.9%

Tax Breakdown on $170,910

Gross salary$170,910
Federal income tax−$30,361.4
Arizona state tax−$4,272.75
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$13,074.615
Take-home (net)$123,201.235

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 — Phoenix

Career-stage progression for Dentists in Phoenix.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$128,800
2–3 yr$140,000
4–6 yr$195,000
7–10 yr$250,000
11–15 yr$295,000
15+ yr$267,500

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Phoenix's 1.00× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$25,895
2026 median:$170,910
Change:+$145,015

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
$165,932
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Dentist Salary in Phoenix

Walk-away anchor: $155,373 (offers below this are below market for Phoenix).

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 $250K–$285K for experienced roles, citing Phoenix market data and your specific Digital dentistry/Cosmetic procedures expertise.

Dentist Salary FAQ — Phoenix

What is the average Dentist salary in Phoenix, AZ?
The average Dentist salary in Phoenix is $170,910 per year as of April 2026 — $14,243/month, $3,287/week, or about $82/hour. Salaries range from $130,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $285,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Phoenix's cost-of-living multiplier (1.00×).
Is $170,910 a good Dentist salary in Phoenix?
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. Phoenix's cost-of-living index is 103 (vs 100 nationally), giving $170,910 a real purchasing power of approximately $165,932 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $170,910 in Phoenix?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Phoenix specifically (median home price $425,000), a $170,910 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $170,910 enough for a single person in Phoenix?
A single adult in Phoenix typically needs ~$46,350 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $170,910 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $170,910 enough for a couple in Phoenix?
A couple (one earner) in Phoenix typically needs ~$74,160 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $170,910 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $170,910 each ($341,820 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $170,910 enough for a family of 4 in Phoenix?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Phoenix typically needs ~$113,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $170,910 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 Phoenix typically run $15K-$29K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Dentist in Phoenix?
On a $170,910 Dentist salary in Phoenix, AZ, you take home approximately $123,201.235 per year ($10,267/month, $4,739 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $30,361.4, state $4,272.75, FICA $13,074.615. Effective tax rate: 27.9%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Dentists in Phoenix earn compared to the US average?
Dentists in Phoenix earn approximately 0% more than the US national median for this role ($170,910 nationally vs $170,910 in Phoenix). However, Phoenix's cost-of-living index of 103 means real purchasing power is approximately $165,932 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Dentist earn in Phoenix?
Entry-level Dentists in Phoenix typically start at around $140,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Dentists earn $250,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $285,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Dentist salaries in Phoenix increase in 2026?
Yes — Dentist salaries in Phoenix grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $25,895 in 2025 to $170,910 in 2026 (+$145,015). 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 Phoenix?
Dentist roles growing 4%. Specialty dentists (orthodontists, oral surgeons) earning $300K+. Phoenix's top industries include Tech (TSMC fab), Healthcare, Aerospace, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4% — 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 Phoenix.
Who are the top employers hiring Dentists in Phoenix?
Top employers hiring Dentists in or near Phoenix 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 Phoenix?
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 Phoenix?
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 Phoenix?
DDS or DMD (4-year doctoral program) is the typical path. However, Phoenix'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 Phoenix are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($170,910) by Phoenix's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.00× — 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 Phoenix

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

Dentist Salary in Other Cities

Philadelphia, PA$178KFort Worth, TX$174KColumbus, OH$166KCharlotte, NC$174KNashville, TN$171KTucson, AZ$154KMesa, AZ$167KColorado Springs, CO$171K

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