2026 Salary — Colorado
Updated April 29, 2026
Dentist Salary in Colorado: $179K Median
Dentists in Colorado earn between $137K and $299K per year.
That's +5% above the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Dentist salary in Colorado is $179,456 per year — +5% above the US national median of $170,910. Salaries range from $136,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $299,250 (90th percentile). Colorado's cost-of-living index is 105. State income tax applies.
Median
$179,456
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$147,000
Experienced
$262,500
Top 10%
$299,250
About Dentists in Colorado
Dentists diagnose and treat oral health conditions through preventive care, fillings, extractions, and specialty procedures.
Hot 2026 Skills
Digital dentistryCosmetic proceduresPractice managementCAD/CAM (CEREC)Implants
ATS Keywords
DDSpatient carerestorative dentistrypreventive careCERECpractice management
Dentist Salary in Colorado Metros
Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver | $188,001 |
| Colorado Springs | $170,910 |
How to Negotiate Your Dentist Salary in Colorado
Walk-away anchor: $163,142.
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
Negotiate Beyond Base
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
Dentist Salary FAQ — Colorado
What is the average Dentist salary in Colorado?
The average Dentist salary in Colorado is $179,456 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $136,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $299,250 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Dentist pay in Colorado compare to the US average?
Dentists in Colorado earn approximately 5% more than the US national median ($170,910 nationally vs $179,456 in Colorado). Colorado's cost-of-living index of 105 is close to the national average.
Did Dentist salaries in Colorado increase in 2026?
Yes — Dentist salaries in Colorado grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $27,190 in 2025 to $179,456 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Digital dentistry and Cosmetic procedures demand.
Which Colorado cities pay Dentists the most?
Top-paying Colorado metros for Dentists: Denver ($188K), Colorado Springs ($171K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Dentists in Colorado?
Dentist roles growing 4%. Specialty dentists (orthodontists, oral surgeons) earning $300K+. Colorado's top industries include Aerospace, Tech, Energy, and the state's unemployment rate is 3.7% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does Colorado have state income tax?
Yes, Colorado has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $179,456, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Dentists in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Digital dentistry, Cosmetic procedures, Practice management, CAD/CAM (CEREC), Implants. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Colorado employers.
How can I increase my Dentist salary in Colorado?
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? Beyond base, negotiate: 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%). Walk-away anchor for Colorado: $163,142.
Methodology
Colorado Dentist salary is the BLS national median ($170,910) adjusted by Colorado's state multiplier (1.05×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Dentist Salary in Other States
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