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2026 Salary Data — Wichita, KS
Updated April 28, 2026

Dentist Salary in Wichita: $145K Median

Dentists in Wichita, KS earn between $111K and $242K per year.

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

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Dentist salary in Wichita, KS is $145,274 per year — -15% below the US national median of $170,910. Salaries range from $110,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $242,250 (90th percentile). Dentists in Wichita earned approximately $22,011 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$145,274
+560.0% YoY · $12,106/mo
Entry
$119,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$212,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$242,250
Senior/lead
Dentist Salary — Wichita vs Nearby
Wichita
$145K
El Paso
$145K
+0% vs Wichita
Tulsa
$150K
-3% vs Wichita
Memphis
$150K
-3% vs Wichita

Free ATS scan · Wichita employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Dentists in Wichita

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

Wichita Job Market

Aerospace manufacturing capital ("Air Capital of the World").

Population
397K
Cost of Living
86
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.6%
Median Home
$180K

Top Industries in Wichita

Aerospace (Spirit, Cessna)HealthcareManufacturingEnergy

Top Employers Hiring Dentists

Major employers active in Wichita 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 — Wichita

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$110,500$145,274$242,250
Monthly$9,208$12,106$20,188
Weekly$2,125$2,794$4,659
Hourly$53$70$116

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($170,910) adjusted for Wichita's cost-of-living multiplier (0.85×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Dentist Take-Home Pay in Wichita

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$102,397.531
Per month$8,533
Biweekly paycheck$3,938
Effective tax rate29.5%

Tax Breakdown on $145,274

Gross salary$145,274
Federal income tax−$24,208.76
Kansas state tax−$7,554.248
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$11,113.461
Take-home (net)$102,397.531

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 — Wichita

Career-stage progression for Dentists in Wichita.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$109,480
2–3 yr$119,000
4–6 yr$165,750
7–10 yr$212,500
11–15 yr$250,750
15+ yr$227,375

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Wichita's 0.85× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$22,011
2026 median:$145,274
Change:+$123,263

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
$168,923
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Dentist Salary in Wichita

Walk-away anchor: $132,067 (offers below this are below market for Wichita).

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 $213K–$242K for experienced roles, citing Wichita market data and your specific Digital dentistry/Cosmetic procedures expertise.

Dentist Salary FAQ — Wichita

What is the average Dentist salary in Wichita, KS?
The average Dentist salary in Wichita is $145,274 per year as of April 2026 — $12,106/month, $2,794/week, or about $70/hour. Salaries range from $110,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $242,250 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Wichita's cost-of-living multiplier (0.85×).
Is $145,274 a good Dentist salary in Wichita?
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. Wichita's cost-of-living index is 86 (vs 100 nationally), giving $145,274 a real purchasing power of approximately $168,923 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $145,274 in Wichita?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Wichita specifically (median home price $180,000), a $145,274 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $145,274 enough for a single person in Wichita?
A single adult in Wichita typically needs ~$38,700 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $145,274 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $145,274 enough for a couple in Wichita?
A couple (one earner) in Wichita typically needs ~$61,920 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $145,274 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $145,274 each ($290,548 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $145,274 enough for a family of 4 in Wichita?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Wichita typically needs ~$94,600 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $145,274 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 Wichita typically run $13K-$24K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Dentist in Wichita?
On a $145,274 Dentist salary in Wichita, KS, you take home approximately $102,397.531 per year ($8,533/month, $3,938 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $24,208.76, state $7,554.248, FICA $11,113.461. Effective tax rate: 29.5%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Dentists in Wichita earn compared to the US average?
Dentists in Wichita earn approximately 15% less than the US national median for this role ($170,910 nationally vs $145,274 in Wichita). However, Wichita's cost-of-living index of 86 means real purchasing power is approximately $168,923 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Dentist earn in Wichita?
Entry-level Dentists in Wichita typically start at around $119,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Dentists earn $212,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $242,250+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Dentist salaries in Wichita increase in 2026?
Yes — Dentist salaries in Wichita grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $22,011 in 2025 to $145,274 in 2026 (+$123,263). 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 Wichita?
Dentist roles growing 4%. Specialty dentists (orthodontists, oral surgeons) earning $300K+. Wichita's top industries include Aerospace (Spirit, Cessna), Healthcare, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.6% — 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 Wichita.
Who are the top employers hiring Dentists in Wichita?
Top employers hiring Dentists in or near Wichita 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 Wichita?
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 Wichita?
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 Wichita?
DDS or DMD (4-year doctoral program) is the typical path. However, Wichita'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 Wichita are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($170,910) by Wichita's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.85× — 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 Wichita

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

Dentist Salary in Other Cities

El Paso, TX$145KMemphis, TN$150KOklahoma City, OK$150KTulsa, OK$150K

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