Dentist Salary in Missouri: Average Earnings, Factors, and Outlook (2024 Guide)
Curious about what dentists really earn in Missouri? Want to know which city or specialty pays the most? Interested in how experience, practice type, and other factors can impact your paycheck? This guide answers your questions and gives you clear, honest numbers that you can trust. Whether you’re planning your career, thinking about dental school, or ready for a career move, you’ll want to keep reading to discover why Missouri may be a smart place for dentists to work.
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The Average Dentist Salary in Missouri
Let’s get right to it—how much do dentists make in Missouri? According to reviews by Dr. Joe Dental and stats from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly dentist pay in Missouri is between $170,000 and $190,000. That’s a pretty big gap! Some dentists make less or more, depending on reasons we’ll talk about next.
But what about the national average? Across the U.S., dentists usually make $190,000 to $210,000 a year. If you look at these numbers, Missouri’s dental pay is a little below the national average. But because it’s cheaper to live here, your money can go further than in expensive cities.
Here’s a table to make it easy to see:
| Type | Average Salary (MO) | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| All Dentists | $170,000 – $190,000 | $190,000 – $210,000 |
| General Dentists | $155,000 – $175,000 | $180,000 – $200,000 |
| Orthodontists | $250,000 – $350,000+ | $270,000 – $350,000+ |
| Oral Surgeons | $280,000 – $400,000+ | $300,000 – $450,000+ |
| Pediatric Dentists | $180,000 – $250,000 | $200,000 – $280,000 |
Data pulled from BLS, ADA, Salary.com, and checked by Missouri Dental Association.
What Factors Affect Dentist Salaries in Missouri?
Dentist pay isn’t the same for everyone. Your pay can change based on experience, specialty, location, and type of practice. Let’s break these down.
Experience Level
A new dentist just out of school in Missouri can expect to make $100,000 to $140,000 per year. Not bad at all! As dentists get five to ten years under their belt, pay goes up to $160,000 to $220,000. The most experienced dentists, who usually have their own offices or lots of longtime patients, can see their pay hit $200,000 to $350,000, or even more.
Dental Specialty
Not all dentists do the same work, and some jobs pay more. If you choose to be an orthodontist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon, your yearly pay could be between $250,000 and $400,000+. Pediatric dentists and endodontists also make good money, often above $180,000 a year.
Geographic Location
Where you work in Missouri matters a lot. Cities like Kansas City and St. Louis pay more, with lots of dentists making $175,000 to $195,000 a year—sometimes higher. In smaller towns, the pay can be lower, but the cost to live there is less. Sometimes, small places will even give a starting bonus or help pay off student loans to bring in new dentists.
Type of Practice
Owning your own dentist office can be like hitting the jackpot—if things go well. Dr. Joe Dental says that people who own an office in Missouri often make two or three times what dental associates get paid, but they also have more to worry about. Chain clinics and public jobs usually have steady pay with benefits, but normally at the lower end.
Patient Volume & Production
Have you heard, “The more you work, the more you make”? That’s true for dentists too. If you see more patients or do more billable work, you make more money. Some dental offices use a bonus or production pay, especially where they see a lot of people.
Education & Training
Dentists who go for more training, get new certificates, or learn the latest tech, usually find better jobs. People and bosses will pay more for these skills. Working with a modern digital dental lab or learning about new dental tools can also help you stand out.
How Much Do Dentists Make in Different Missouri Cities?
Look at Missouri and you’ll find big cities and small towns. Each place has its own pay and job options. Here are some average salaries by city:
| City | Avg. Annual Salary | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO | $175,000 – $195,000 | $110,000 – $320,000+ |
| St. Louis, MO | $170,000 – $190,000 | $105,000 – $310,000+ |
| Springfield, MO | $150,000 – $170,000 | $95,000 – $280,000 |
| Columbia, MO | $140,000 – $165,000 | $93,000 – $250,000 |
Kansas City and St. Louis mostly pay more. That’s because they’re bigger, with more offices and higher demand for things like tooth implants and nicer smiles. Springfield and Columbia pay a little less—but the prices for rent and food are cheaper too.
What’s the Salary by Dental Specialty in Missouri?
Not every dentist does the same thing. Let’s see what you can make in different jobs in Missouri:
| Specialty | Average Salary | Range |
|---|---|---|
| General Dentist | $155,000 – $175,000 | $90,000 – $250,000 |
| Orthodontist | $250,000 – $350,000+ | $150,000 – $450,000+ |
| Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon | $280,000 – $400,000+ | $180,000 – $500,000+ |
| Pediatric Dentist | $180,000 – $250,000 | $120,000 – $300,000 |
| Endodontist | $200,000 – $300,000 | $140,000 – $380,000 |
| Periodontist | $185,000 – $290,000 | $125,000 – $350,000 |
| Prosthodontist | $170,000 – $250,000 | $110,000 – $320,000 |
Specialists almost always make more than general dentists. But it means more school and sometimes bigger loans. If you like working with kids, becoming a pediatric dentist in Missouri can be a good job and pay well too!
How Do Entry-Level and Senior Dentists’ Earnings Compare?
Here’s some good news—dentist pay in Missouri goes up pretty fast as you get more experienced.
Entry-Level Dentists
A new dentist, maybe fresh out of the UMKC School of Dentistry, will usually make between $100,000 and $140,000 a year. Pretty strong for a first job. If you start your job in a small town, you may find special “sign-on” bonuses or help paying off your student debt.
Senior Dentists
As dentists get more miles under their belt, some open their own offices or run more than one. Their pay goes up fast, often landing at $200,000 to $350,000+. Senior folks who run their own place and do it well may see even bigger paychecks—Dr. Joe Dental says some make over $500,000 a year after years of work.
How Does Practice Type Change Your Earning Potential?
Where you work matters just as much as how good you are at fixing teeth.
Private Practice
If you own the office, you set your own path, get all the profits, and have the best chance to make more money. But you also have to pay for everything—staff, rent, supplies, you name it. Many private dentists in Missouri say the extra work is worth it.
Corporate Dentistry
Big dental chains and dental service companies, like Aspen Dental or Heartland Dental, give you steady work with things like health insurance. Pay is often in the $140,000–$180,000 range if you’re full time. What’s the trade-off? You have less say about your hours and what kinds of work you can do.
Public Health and VA Clinics
If you work at a community health center, government clinic, or VA office, you’ll help people who really need it. Pay is lower, but you might get extra help with loans or a good retirement plan.
For dentists who want to do special work like implant dental laboratory or cosmetic work, teaming up with a well-known china dental lab can help your reputation and bring in more patients.
How Does Missouri Stack Up Against Other States?
Maybe you wonder if you could make more somewhere else. Let’s see.
Across the country, dentist pay is often higher in places like California, New York, or Texas—sometimes above $250,000 for general dentists. But living in Missouri is a lot cheaper. So your paycheck can go a lot further than in big coastal cities.
When you look at places close by, like Illinois, Kansas, or Arkansas, Missouri holds up well. Some small counties might pay more to bring in new dentists, while big cities compete with any other city in the Midwest.
What’s the Job Outlook for Dentists in Missouri?
Dentist jobs in Missouri are still strong—and actually growing, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics. From 2022 to 2032, dentist jobs are set to go up by about 6%, which is as good or better than lots of other jobs.
Where do they need dentists the most? Kansas City and St. Louis always hire more, but small towns really need dentists and often give bonuses or other help to new hires. With people getting older and needing more care, job security looks good.
New dental tech, like what’s used in a modern 3d dental lab, is also keeping demand high for skilled dentists.
How Can Dentists Increase Earning Power in Missouri?
Want to make more? There are smart ways to earn more money.
Specialize
The more focused your skills, the more people will pay. Orthodontists, oral surgeons, or endodontists can make $100,000+ over what general dentists make. If mouth surgery sounds fun, you’re in luck!
Practice Ownership
After you have a few years on the job, owning an office in Missouri often pays off. Yes, there are risks and late nights. But dentists who own their business often make two or three times what associates do.
Strategic Location
Put your office where there aren’t many dentists. Small towns might pay less at first, but with lower competition, you could get lots of loyal patients quickly—especially if you offer new options like crowns through a crown and bridge lab. Busy city spots can be huge moneymakers for hard-working dentists.
Advanced Training
Always keep learning. The more you know about implants, cosmetic work, and new tech, the more you can charge and help your patients. Trying new materials from a smart veneer lab can make you the favorite dentist in your area.
Practice Good Office Management
Business skills are just as important as dental skills. Use modern billing, keep costs down, and hire the right team. Happy patients send their friends, and busy days mean more money.
Trusted Resources for Missouri Dentists and Students
No dentist does it alone. Here are the best places for info and help:
- Missouri Dental Association (MDA): Training, jobs, local updates, and help.
- UMKC School of Dentistry: Top spot for training and helping your career.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Official numbers for pay and job outlook.
- Job Boards: Try Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter for new jobs.
- Professional Networking: Join LinkedIn groups or local events to meet others.
Conclusion: Is Dentistry a Good Career in Missouri?
If you want to help others, have steady work, and get good pay for your school years, Missouri is a smart place for dentists. Here, you can make a strong salary, enjoy good job security, and—if you plan smart—build a great office or specialty job.
With so many choices for workplaces, types of patients, and parts of the state to explore, Missouri’s dental world has something for everyone. Whether you’re getting started or thinking about your next step, keep learning, stay open to change, and always care for patients first.
Key Takeaways
- Average yearly dentist pay in Missouri is $170,000 to $190,000, a bit below the national average, but cheaper living costs make up for it.
- Pay changes with experience, specialty, place of work, and type of practice.
- Specialists like orthodontists and oral surgeons make the most money.
- Kansas City and St. Louis have the best pay, while smaller towns might offer special bonuses.
- Office owners can earn two or three times more than employees, but take bigger risks.
- Dentist jobs are growing, with a 6% increase expected over ten years.
- Keep learning, maybe open your own office, and pick the best spot to work to earn more.
- Use help from places like the Missouri Dental Association and UMKC School of Dentistry for advice.
Thinking about a dental job in Missouri? The chances are good, the pay is solid, and every happy smile is a job well done.
