Dentists, General in California
Considering working as a Dentists, General in California? Here’s what the data says. Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care. Excludes “Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons” (29-1022), “Orthodontists” (29-1023), “Prosthodontists” (29-1024), and “Dentists, All Other Specialists” (29-1029).
What do Dentists, General Make in California?
For dentists, general working in California, wages run about $178,540 per year (or about $85.84/hour).
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $97,280 | $46.77 |
| 25th percentile | $129,990 | $62.50 |
| Median (50th) | $178,540 | $85.84 |
| 75th percentile | $209,340 | $100.64 |
| 90th percentile | n/a | n/a |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in California relative to the national average — is 1.11, suggesting that dentists, general are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, dentists, general earn a median of $157,602 per year ($75.77/hour), exceeding the California median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 2,918,524 dentists, general in the U.S.. In California alone, approximately 14,760 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 1,240 dentists, general.
Top California Metros for Dentists, General
The largest metro-area employers of dentists, general in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 4,300 | $176,200 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 1,950 | $176,970 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,680 | $205,380 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,480 | $181,230 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,280 | $161,790 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 760 | $204,320 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 540 | $169,000 |
| Fresno, CA | 370 | $173,660 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 300 | $133,190 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 260 | $139,310 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 190 | $124,450 |
| Salinas, CA | 160 | $175,900 |
| Modesto, CA | 150 | $201,080 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 150 | $173,370 |
| Vallejo, CA | 140 | $195,920 |
| Visalia, CA | 130 | $203,990 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 110 | $210,140 |
| Chico, CA | 80 | $166,850 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 60 | $228,700 |
| Merced, CA | 60 | $163,940 |
| Redding, CA | 60 | $176,890 |
| Napa, CA | 50 | $172,560 |
| Yuba City, CA | 40 | $178,640 |
Top States for Dentists, General Employment
The table below shows the states where the most dentists, general work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 14,760 |
| Florida | 8,400 |
| Texas | 7,690 |
| New York | 7,460 |
| Illinois | 4,820 |
| North Carolina | 4,410 |
| Michigan | 3,920 |
| Virginia | 3,890 |
| Georgia | 3,260 |
| Pennsylvania | 3,210 |
| Washington | 3,100 |
| Ohio | 2,990 |
| Arizona | 2,930 |
| New Jersey | 2,710 |
| Indiana | 2,700 |
| Minnesota | 2,500 |
| Colorado | 2,330 |
| South Carolina | 2,320 |
| Maryland | 2,190 |
| Wisconsin | 2,160 |
Highest-Paying States for Dentists, General
These states pay the most for dentists, general.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Vermont | $230,990 |
| Alaska | $230,830 |
| Delaware | $224,690 |
| Minnesota | $209,820 |
| Maine | $208,860 |
| Arizona | $206,660 |
| Wisconsin | $206,650 |
| North Dakota | $201,280 |
| Washington | $197,950 |
| Georgia | $195,820 |
Skills
Top dentists, general skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for dentists, general, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Dentists, General typically:
- Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
- Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, or other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments.
- Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
- Use dental air turbines, hand instruments, dental appliances, or surgical implements.
- Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
- Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.
- Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications.
- Advise or instruct patients regarding preventive dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, or oral health care services.
- Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians.
- Fill pulp chamber and canal with endodontic materials.
- Treat exposure of pulp by pulp capping, removal of pulp from pulp chamber, or root canal, using dental instruments.
- Remove diseased tissue, using surgical instruments.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: eClinicalWorks EHR software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Dentistry
- Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences
- Dental Residency
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like dentists, general include:
- Chiropractors
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Orthodontists
- Prosthodontists
- Optometrists
- Podiatrists
Also Known As
Dental Medicine Doctor (DMD), Dental Officer, Dental Surgery Doctor (DDS), Dentist, Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Endodontist, Family Dentist, General Dentist, Pediatric Dentist, Periodontist, Public Health Dentist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-1021.00
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