Salary report · San Francisco, CA

What is the average Dentist salary in San Francisco, CA?

Dentists in San Francisco earn a median of $242,700 per year — about 42% above the national average. Pay ranges from $174,700 (25th percentile) to $376,200 (90th percentile).

25th percentile
$174,700
Median
$242,700
75th percentile
$310,700
90th percentile
$376,200
YoY change
+4.7%

Dentist salary by experience level

Entry · 0–2 yrs
$157,800
Mid · 3–5 yrs
$242,700
Senior · 6–8 yrs
$310,700
Lead · 8+ yrs
$351,900

How San Francisco pay compares

San Francisco median$242,700
National median$170,910
Cost-of-living adjusted(COL index 244)$99,500

Cost-of-living adjusted is the San Francisco salary translated into equivalent purchasing power vs the US average (COL index 100). Useful for comparing offers across cities.

5-year salary trend

$202K
2022
$212K
2023
$221K
2024
$232K
2025
$243K
2026

Trend extrapolated from BLS May 2024 BLS OEWS OEWS data using the latest year-over-year growth rate of 4.7%.

Dentist job market in San Francisco

San Francisco offers the highest tech salaries in the country but cost of living is brutal — particularly housing. Many roles offer remote/hybrid flexibility.

An estimated 3,100 dentists work in the San Francisco metro. Daily responsibilities typically include:

  • Perform exams and cleanings
  • Diagnose oral conditions
  • Perform procedures
  • Educate patients
  • Manage dental practice

Related job salaries in San Francisco

Dentist salary in other cities

FAQ

How much does a Dentist make in San Francisco, CA?+

Dentists in San Francisco earn a median of $242,700 per year — about 42% above the national average of $170,910.

What's the entry-level Dentist salary in San Francisco?+

Entry-level Dentists in San Francisco typically earn around $157,800 per year. Salaries scale to about $351,900 at the senior level with 8+ years of experience.

Is $242,700 a good Dentist salary in San Francisco?+

$242,700 is the median, meaning half of Dentists in San Francisco earn more and half earn less. Adjusted for the city's cost-of-living index of 244, that's roughly $99,500 in nationally-equivalent purchasing power.

How fast is Dentist pay growing in San Francisco?+

Dentist salaries in San Francisco grew about 4.7% year-over-year in the latest BLS data. The 10-year national outlook for this role is +5%.

Where do Dentists in San Francisco get paid the most?+

The 90th percentile Dentist salary in San Francisco is around $376,200. These typically include senior, lead, or specialist roles at major employers.

Are you being paid fairly in San Francisco?

Run a free comparison against BLS data — see if your salary is below, at, or above the San Francisco median.

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