2026 Salary — Texas
Updated April 29, 2026
Dentist Salary in Texas: $174K Median
Dentists in Texas earn between $133K and $291K per year.
That's +2% above the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Dentist salary in Texas is $174,328 per year — +2% above the US national median of $170,910. Salaries range from $132,600 (entry, 25th percentile) to $290,700 (90th percentile). Texas's cost-of-living index is 93. Texas has no state income tax.
Median
$174,328
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$142,800
Experienced
$255,000
Top 10%
$290,700
About Dentists in Texas
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 Texas Metros
Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Houston | $179,456 |
| Dallas | $179,456 |
| Austin | $196,546 |
| San Antonio | $158,946 |
| Fort Worth | $174,328 |
| El Paso | $145,274 |
| Arlington | $170,910 |
How to Negotiate Your Dentist Salary in Texas
Walk-away anchor: $158,480.
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 — Texas
What is the average Dentist salary in Texas?
The average Dentist salary in Texas is $174,328 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $132,600 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $290,700 (90th percentile). Texas has no state income tax — increasing take-home meaningfully.
How does Dentist pay in Texas compare to the US average?
Dentists in Texas earn approximately 2% more than the US national median ($170,910 nationally vs $174,328 in Texas). Texas's cost-of-living index of 93 amplifies the real purchasing power.
Did Dentist salaries in Texas increase in 2026?
Yes — Dentist salaries in Texas grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $26,413 in 2025 to $174,328 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Digital dentistry and Cosmetic procedures demand.
Which Texas cities pay Dentists the most?
Top-paying Texas metros for Dentists: Houston ($179K), Dallas ($179K), Austin ($197K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Dentists in Texas?
Dentist roles growing 4%. Specialty dentists (orthodontists, oral surgeons) earning $300K+. Texas's top industries include Energy/Oil & Gas, Tech, Healthcare, and the state's unemployment rate is 4.1% — steady demand for skilled workers.
Does Texas have state income tax?
No, Texas has no state income tax. This significantly boosts take-home pay vs comparable salaries in tax states like California or New York. At $174,328, you keep all of it (after federal + FICA).
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 Texas employers.
How can I increase my Dentist salary in Texas?
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 Texas: $158,480.
Methodology
Texas Dentist salary is the BLS national median ($170,910) adjusted by Texas's state multiplier (1.02×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Dentist Salary in Other States
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