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Occupation · SOC 29-1021

Dentists, General

There are 124,390 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $170,950 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

HealthcareTypical education: Doctoral or professional degree
124,390
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$170,950
Median pay a year
Middle half: $125,710–$224,040
4,200
Annual openings
10-year change: +5.7%
1,062
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+23.6% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 321 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $190,010 · LCA filings 277,240$190,01027
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $139,990 · LCA filings 166,300$139,99016
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $156,100 · LCA filings 415,910$156,10041
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $172,210 · LCA filings 03,270$172,2100
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $184,540 · LCA filings 123,040$184,54012
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $179,990 · LCA filings 312,890$179,99031
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $194,180 · LCA filings 32,700$194,1803
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $163,390 · LCA filings 262,570$163,39026
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $202,060 · LCA filings 152,090$202,06015
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $168,620 · LCA filings 111,980$168,62011

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, FLEmployment 450 · LCA filings 1$241,8504501
Memphis, TN–MS–AREmployment 280 · LCA filings 1$238,0402801
Columbia, SCEmployment 480 · LCA filings 3$228,8204803
Anchorage, AKEmployment 180 · LCA filings 2$228,0301802
Evansville, INEmployment 70 · LCA filings 2$225,620702

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 41 · Employment 1,92070411,920
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployers with LCA filings 23 · Employment 5,91041235,910
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAEmployers with LCA filings 16 · Employment 9703216970
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXEmployers with LCA filings 21 · Employment 2,89031212,890
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 23 · Employment 7,24027237,240

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $146,973 · Level III $202,259 · Level IV $257,525$91,707$146,973$202,259$257,525
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $113,610 · Level III $147,638 · Level IV $181,646$79,602$113,610$147,638$181,646
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $155,085 · Level III $192,088 · Level IV $229,070$118,102$155,085$192,088$229,070
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $139,422 · Level III $183,019 · Level IV $226,616$95,826$139,422$183,019$226,616
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $168,730 · Level III $215,155 · Level IV $261,560$122,325$168,730$215,155$261,560
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $166,400 · Level III $201,656 · Level IV $236,933$131,123$166,400$201,656$236,933
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $130,894 · Level III $181,418 · Level IV $231,962$80,350$130,894$181,418$231,962
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $139,360 · Level III $183,664 · Level IV $227,968$95,056$139,360$183,664$227,968
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $171,350 · Level III $211,536 · Level IV $251,701$131,186$171,350$211,536$251,701
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $122,512 · Level III $158,184 · Level IV $193,877$86,819$122,512$158,184$193,877
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $175,781 · Level III $220,293 · Level IV $264,805$131,269$175,781$220,293$264,805
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CALevel II $142,646 · Level III $174,075 · Level IV $205,483$111,238$142,646$174,075$205,483

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
DentistryCIP 51.04OPT · up to 12 months487OPT · up to 12 months
Biology, GeneralCIP 26.01 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months4,172STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyCIP 26.02 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months1,304STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Dentists, General in every metro area

All 321 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Healthcare

Registered NursesLicensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesPharmacy TechniciansNurse PractitionersClinical Laboratory Technologists and TechniciansPsychiatric TechniciansDental HygienistsMedical Records Specialists

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology