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Compare dentist licensing requirements across 51 US states and territories. Click any row to view that state's full licensing guide.
Avg. Median Salary
$173,305
across 46 states
Avg. Time to License
4.2 years
across 51 states
Avg. Initial Cost
$1,893
across 51 states
| State | Median Salary | Time to License | Initial Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | — | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,790#36 | 1 mo#1 |
| Alaska | $230,830#2 | 4.2 yr#1 | $2,040#49 | 1 mo#1 |
| Arizona | $206,660#6 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,790#39 | 1 mo#1 |
| Arkansas | $172,490#22 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,690#3 | 1 mo#1 |
| California | $178,540#18 | 4.2 yr#1 | $2,240#51 | 1 mo#1 |
| Colorado | $136,260#41 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,951#26 | 1 mo#1 |
| Connecticut | $193,230#11 | 4.2 yr#1 | $2,130#13 | 1 mo#1 |
| Delaware | $224,690#3 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,892#6 | 1 mo#1 |
| District of Columbia | — | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,890#44 | 1 mo#1 |
| Florida | $162,870#29 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,690#26 | 1 mo#1 |
| Georgia | $195,820#10 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,865#13 | 1 mo#1 |
| Hawaii | $139,990#40 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,940#48 | 1 mo#1 |
| Idaho | $166,560#27 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,940#6 | 1 mo#1 |
| Illinois | $180,420#16 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,890#39 | 1 mo#1 |
| Indiana | $176,990#20 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,640#2 | 1 mo#1 |
| Iowa | $174,990#21 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,765#13 | 1 mo#1 |
| Kansas | $170,090#24 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,715#6 | 1 mo#1 |
| Kentucky | $135,550#42 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,790#26 | 1 mo#1 |
| Louisiana | $179,600#17 | 4.2 yr#1 | $2,090#39 | 1 mo#1 |
| Maine | $208,860#5 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,790#26 | 1 mo#1 |
| Maryland | $189,330#13 | 4.2 yr#1 | $2,015#13 | 1 mo#1 |
| Massachusetts | — | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,890#44 | 1 mo#1 |
| Michigan | $177,080#19 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,887#13 | 1 mo#1 |
| Minnesota | $209,820#4 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,840#36 | 1 mo#1 |
| Mississippi | $128,570#44 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,640#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Missouri | — | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,715#6 | 1 mo#1 |
| Montana | $159,480#34 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,765#13 | 1 mo#1 |
| Nebraska | $168,110#26 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,790#26 | 1 mo#1 |
| Nevada | $125,180#46 | 4.2 yr#1 | $2,840#47 | 1 mo#1 |
| New Hampshire | $162,040#31 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,760#26 | 1 mo#1 |
| New Jersey | $159,860#33 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,840#39 | 1 mo#1 |
| New Mexico | $171,730#23 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,765#13 | 1 mo#1 |
| New York | $164,060#28 | 4.2 yr#1 | $2,117#49 | 1 mo#1 |
| North Carolina | $191,280#12 | 4.2 yr#1 | $2,790#26 | 1 mo#1 |
| North Dakota | $201,280#8 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,765#13 | 1 mo#1 |
| Ohio | $155,570#37 | 4.2 yr#1 | $2,069#36 | 1 mo#1 |
| Oklahoma | $161,780#32 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,715#6 | 1 mo#1 |
| Oregon | $185,790#14 | 4.2 yr#1 | $2,085#39 | 1 mo#1 |
| Pennsylvania | $168,740#25 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,850#26 | 1 mo#1 |
| Rhode Island | — | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,765#13 | 1 mo#1 |
| South Carolina | $158,460#35 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,815#3 | 1 mo#1 |
| South Dakota | $162,860#30 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,765#13 | 1 mo#1 |
| Tennessee | $154,460#38 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,840#6 | 1 mo#1 |
| Texas | $157,370#36 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,765#13 | 1 mo#1 |
| Utah | $132,270#43 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,790#26 | 1 mo#1 |
| Vermont | $230,990#1 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,875#26 | 1 mo#1 |
| Virginia | $182,570#15 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,965#13 | 1 mo#1 |
| Washington | $197,950#9 | 4.2 yr#1 | $2,140#44 | 1 mo#1 |
| West Virginia | $147,440#39 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,715#6 | 1 mo#1 |
| Wisconsin | $206,650#7 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,765#13 | 1 mo#1 |
| Wyoming | $126,860#45 | 4.2 yr#1 | $1,665#3 | 1 mo#1 |
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024. Timeline and processing times derived from state licensing board requirements. Cost includes government application and exam fees (excludes education/training costs). Rankings use dense ranking — tied values share the same rank.