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2026 Salary Data — Seattle, WA
Updated April 28, 2026

Dentist Salary in Seattle: $226K Median

Dentists in Seattle, WA earn between $172K and $376K per year.

That's +32% above the US national median of $170,910 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Dentist salary in Seattle, WA is $225,601 per year — +32% above the US national median of $170,910. Salaries range from $171,600 (entry, 25th percentile) to $376,200 (90th percentile). Dentists in Seattle earned approximately $34,182 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$225,601
+560.0% YoY · $18,800/mo
Entry
$184,800
0–2 years
Experienced
$330,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$376,200
Senior/lead
Dentist Salary — Seattle vs Nearby
Seattle
$226K
Boston
$222K
+2% vs Seattle
San Diego
$202K
+12% vs Seattle
Los Angeles
$219K
+3% vs Seattle

Free ATS scan · Seattle employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Dentists in Seattle

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

Seattle Job Market

Major tech hub home to Amazon, Microsoft, and growing biotech sector.

Population
750K
Cost of Living
165
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$850K

Top Industries in Seattle

Tech (Amazon, Microsoft)Aerospace (Boeing)HealthcareMaritime

Top Employers Hiring Dentists

Major employers active in Seattle 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 — Seattle

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$171,600$225,601$376,200
Monthly$14,300$18,800$31,350
Weekly$3,300$4,338$7,235
Hourly$83$108$181

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($170,910) adjusted for Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier (1.32×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Dentist Take-Home Pay in Seattle

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$166,828.265
Per month$13,902
Biweekly paycheck$6,416
Effective tax rate26.1%

Tax Breakdown on $225,601

Gross salary$225,601
Federal income tax−$44,583.32
Washington state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$14,189.414
Take-home (net)$166,828.265

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 — Seattle

Career-stage progression for Dentists in Seattle.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$170,016
2–3 yr$184,800
4–6 yr$257,400
7–10 yr$330,000
11–15 yr$389,400
15+ yr$353,100

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Seattle's 1.32× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$34,182
2026 median:$225,601
Change:+$191,419

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
$136,728
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 Seattle

Walk-away anchor: $205,092 (offers below this are below market for Seattle).

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 $330K–$376K for experienced roles, citing Seattle market data and your specific Digital dentistry/Cosmetic procedures expertise.

Dentist Salary FAQ — Seattle

What is the average Dentist salary in Seattle, WA?
The average Dentist salary in Seattle is $225,601 per year as of April 2026 — $18,800/month, $4,338/week, or about $108/hour. Salaries range from $171,600 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $376,200 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier (1.32×).
Is $225,601 a good Dentist salary in Seattle?
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. Seattle's cost-of-living index is 165 (vs 100 nationally), giving $225,601 a real purchasing power of approximately $136,728 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 $225,601 in Seattle?
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 Seattle specifically (median home price $850,000), a $225,601 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $225,601 enough for a single person in Seattle?
A single adult in Seattle typically needs ~$74,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $225,601 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $225,601 enough for a couple in Seattle?
A couple (one earner) in Seattle typically needs ~$118,800 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $225,601 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $225,601 each ($451,202 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $225,601 enough for a family of 4 in Seattle?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Seattle typically needs ~$181,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $225,601 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 Seattle typically run $25K-$46K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Dentist in Seattle?
On a $225,601 Dentist salary in Seattle, WA, you take home approximately $166,828.265 per year ($13,902/month, $6,416 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $44,583.32, state $0, FICA $14,189.414. Effective tax rate: 26.1%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Dentists in Seattle earn compared to the US average?
Dentists in Seattle earn approximately 32% more than the US national median for this role ($170,910 nationally vs $225,601 in Seattle). However, Seattle's cost-of-living index of 165 means real purchasing power is approximately $136,728 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Dentist earn in Seattle?
Entry-level Dentists in Seattle typically start at around $184,800 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Dentists earn $330,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $376,200+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Dentist salaries in Seattle increase in 2026?
Yes — Dentist salaries in Seattle grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $34,182 in 2025 to $225,601 in 2026 (+$191,419). 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 Seattle?
Dentist roles growing 4%. Specialty dentists (orthodontists, oral surgeons) earning $300K+. Seattle's top industries include Tech (Amazon, Microsoft), Aerospace (Boeing), Healthcare, 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 Seattle.
Who are the top employers hiring Dentists in Seattle?
Top employers hiring Dentists in or near Seattle 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 Seattle?
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 Seattle?
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 Seattle?
DDS or DMD (4-year doctoral program) is the typical path. However, Seattle'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 Seattle are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($170,910) by Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.32× — 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 Seattle

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

Dentist Salary in Other Cities

New York, NY$231KLos Angeles, CA$219KWashington, DC$222KBoston, MA$222K

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