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2026 Salary Data — Virginia Beach, VA
Updated April 28, 2026

Dentist Salary in Virginia Beach: $167K Median

Dentists in Virginia Beach, VA earn between $127K and $279K per year.

That's -2% below the US national median of $170,910 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Dentist salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $167,492 per year — -2% below the US national median of $170,910. Salaries range from $127,400 (entry, 25th percentile) to $279,300 (90th percentile). Dentists in Virginia Beach earned approximately $25,378 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$167,492
+560.0% YoY · $13,958/mo
Entry
$137,200
0–2 years
Experienced
$245,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$279,300
Senior/lead
Dentist Salary — Virginia Beach vs Nearby
Virginia Beach
$167K
Charlotte
$174K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Fort Worth
$174K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Mesa
$167K
+0% vs Virginia Beach

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

About Dentists in Virginia 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

Virginia Beach Job Market

Military and tourism hub with strong defense industry.

Population
459K
Cost of Living
100
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.8%
Median Home
$360K

Top Industries in Virginia Beach

Military/NavalTourismDefenseHealthcare

Top Employers Hiring Dentists

Major employers active in Virginia 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 — Virginia Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$127,400$167,492$279,300
Monthly$10,617$13,958$23,275
Weekly$2,450$3,221$5,371
Hourly$61$81$134

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($170,910) adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Dentist Take-Home Pay in Virginia Beach

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$116,763.182
Per month$9,730
Biweekly paycheck$4,491
Effective tax rate30.3%

Tax Breakdown on $167,492

Gross salary$167,492
Federal income tax−$29,541.08
Virginia state tax−$8,374.6
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$12,813.138
Take-home (net)$116,763.182

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 — Virginia Beach

Career-stage progression for Dentists in Virginia Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$126,224
2–3 yr$137,200
4–6 yr$191,100
7–10 yr$245,000
11–15 yr$289,100
15+ yr$262,150

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Virginia Beach's 0.98× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$25,378
2026 median:$167,492
Change:+$142,114

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
$167,492
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 Virginia Beach

Walk-away anchor: $152,265 (offers below this are below market for Virginia 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 $245K–$279K for experienced roles, citing Virginia Beach market data and your specific Digital dentistry/Cosmetic procedures expertise.

Dentist Salary FAQ — Virginia Beach

What is the average Dentist salary in Virginia Beach, VA?
The average Dentist salary in Virginia Beach is $167,492 per year as of April 2026 — $13,958/month, $3,221/week, or about $81/hour. Salaries range from $127,400 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $279,300 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×).
Is $167,492 a good Dentist salary in Virginia 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. Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index is 100 (vs 100 nationally), giving $167,492 a real purchasing power of approximately $167,492 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 $167,492 in Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach specifically (median home price $360,000), a $167,492 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $167,492 enough for a single person in Virginia Beach?
A single adult in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$45,000 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $167,492 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $167,492 enough for a couple in Virginia Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$72,000 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $167,492 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $167,492 each ($334,984 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $167,492 enough for a family of 4 in Virginia Beach?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$110,000 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $167,492 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 Virginia Beach typically run $15K-$28K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Dentist in Virginia Beach?
On a $167,492 Dentist salary in Virginia Beach, VA, you take home approximately $116,763.182 per year ($9,730/month, $4,491 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $29,541.08, state $8,374.6, FICA $12,813.138. Effective tax rate: 30.3%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Dentists in Virginia Beach earn compared to the US average?
Dentists in Virginia Beach earn approximately 2% less than the US national median for this role ($170,910 nationally vs $167,492 in Virginia Beach). However, Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index of 100 means real purchasing power is approximately $167,492 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Dentist earn in Virginia Beach?
Entry-level Dentists in Virginia Beach typically start at around $137,200 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Dentists earn $245,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $279,300+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Dentist salaries in Virginia Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Dentist salaries in Virginia Beach grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $25,378 in 2025 to $167,492 in 2026 (+$142,114). 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 Virginia Beach?
Dentist roles growing 4%. Specialty dentists (orthodontists, oral surgeons) earning $300K+. Virginia Beach's top industries include Military/Naval, Tourism, Defense, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.8% — 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 Virginia Beach.
Who are the top employers hiring Dentists in Virginia Beach?
Top employers hiring Dentists in or near Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia Beach?
DDS or DMD (4-year doctoral program) is the typical path. However, Virginia 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 Virginia Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($170,910) by Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.98× — 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 Virginia Beach

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

Dentist Salary in Other Cities

Phoenix, AZ$171KSan Antonio, TX$159KFort Worth, TX$174KColumbus, OH$166KCharlotte, NC$174KIndianapolis, IN$159KDetroit, MI$159KNashville, TN$171K

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