Dentist Salary in Oklahoma: Your Guide to Pay & What Affects It
Table of Contents
- Average Marks Statewide
- Pay by Experience
- Where You Work in Oklahoma
- Dental Specialty
- Type of Dental Job
- Owning a Practice & Business Skills
- Education and Extra Training
- Dentist Needs in Oklahoma
- Cost of Living in Oklahoma
- Student Loans
- Pay and Perks
Introduction: A Quick Look at Dentist Pay in Oklahoma
When I first thought about becoming a dentist, I wanted to know one thing—how much do dentists make? If you’re reading this, you’re probably asking the same thing. I talked with dentist friends, checked out trusted websites, and even asked Dr. Joe Dental about pay in Oklahoma.
On average, a dentist in Oklahoma can make between $165,000 and $185,000 a year. But this number can change depending on your experience, what kind of dentist you are, and where in the state you work. Keep reading, and I’ll show you what to expect, what changes your pay the most, and how you can make the most of it.
Average Dentist Pay in Oklahoma: Numbers & Ranges
Knowing the real numbers helped me a lot when deciding what to do. Here’s what I found about dentist pay in Oklahoma.
Average Marks Statewide
Most places like the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Salary.com, and Indeed say the average dentist pay in Oklahoma is about $165,000 – $185,000 a year. The middle number—the median—is usually between $150,000 and $170,000. Some make less, some make more.
If you compare it to the national average (about $175,000 – $200,000), Oklahoma is a little behind. But don’t let that fool you—lower costs of living here mean your money buys more than it does in big places like California or New York.
Pay Ranges: New dentists may start around $110,000. The most experienced (like practice owners or specialists) can make $250,000 or more. Full range from new data:
- 10th Percentile: $80,000 (new dentist, small town)
- 90th Percentile: Over $250,000 (specialists, long-time owners)
- Oklahoma City/Tulsa: Pay is a bit higher—maybe $10,000-20,000 more than the state average
Pay by Experience
Your pay goes up with your experience—just like other jobs. Here’s what dentist pay looks like as you work more years.
1. New Dentists (0-2 Years):
When I got my license, I was excited but didn’t make the big bucks right away. New dentists in Oklahoma, often working for someone else, bring in about $110,000 to $140,000 a year. That’s good compared to other starter healthcare jobs.
2. Mid-Career Dentists (5-10 Years):
After a few years, making patients happy and getting good at everyday dentist work, pay climbs to $160,000 to $200,000. Around this time, dentists start thinking about owning a practice or getting more training, which can really bump up your pay.
3. Experienced Dentists (10+ Years):
The pros out there—especially those who own their office or have a specialty—usually make $190,000 to $250,000+ each year. I’ve talked to some who bring in even more because of loyal patients or extra skills.
Things That Affect Dentist Salaries in Oklahoma
Averages only show part of what’s going on. I learned pretty quick as a dentist that lots of things decide what you really take home each year.
Where You Work in Oklahoma
Big cities often offer higher pay, but it’s not always that simple. Oklahoma City and Tulsa usually pay a bit more ($170,000 – $190,000) thanks to more people and bigger offices. Places like Norman, Broken Arrow, Lawton, and Edmond also pay higher than smaller towns.
But small town dentists sometimes do well because there aren’t as many other tooth doctors, and you may get help with things like paying off your loans. I met a dentist in a small town making just as much as some city folks since there was lots of demand and fewer competitors. Small towns might have fewer helpers, though, so you might do more jobs yourself.
Living in Oklahoma is cheaper than in many other states too. Most cost-of-living ratings put Oklahoma at about 85 to 90 (with 100 as average in the U.S.). That means you can get a bigger house, lower bills, and save more.
Dental Specialty
This was a big choice for me. Should I stick with being a regular dentist, or become a specialist? General dentists in Oklahoma make about the numbers I showed you earlier. But specialists make even more:
- Orthodontists: $220,000 to $300,000+
- Oral Surgeons: $250,000 to $400,000+
- Pediatric Dentists: $180,000 to $250,000+
- Endodontists: $200,000 to $280,000+
You have to do a few extra years of school to get here, and sometimes there’s not as many jobs, but the pay can be really high.
Type of Dental Job
This really hit me the first time I worked for someone else and then thought about running my own place. Dentists can work in a few ways:
Own Office (Private Practice): Most dentists in Oklahoma either own their place or work for a practice owner. Owning usually means more pay, but you have bills and risks. Working for someone else means a steady paycheck but less freedom.
Big Groups or DSOs: Some work in big offices or companies. You might get better benefits, a higher salary, and less business stress. But you might have to follow more rules and have a busier job.
Public Health or Government Dentist: These jobs sometimes pay less, but they come with good benefits and regular hours. You might even get help paying off your student loans.
Owning a Practice & Business Skills
After chatting with different dentists, I saw that owning isn’t for everyone, but it can be a game changer for your pay. Associates (working for a boss) get steady pay, but can’t make much more unless they get bonuses. Owners can make double or triple, if they keep their costs low, have happy patients, and run things smoothly.
One dentist in Edmond told me, “When I worked for someone, my pay was steady. When I bought my own place, every new patient meant more in my pocket.” He did say it came with a lot more work, but the money was worth it.
Education and Extra Training
Some people ask if having DDS or DMD letters earns you more. The answer: they’re the same. What really matters is extra training and skills. If you get good at things like implants, putting people to sleep for treatment, or fixing up smiles, you can charge more, especially if you’re the only one doing it around. In my own work, keeping up with new training brings in more money and makes work more fun.
Dentist Jobs and Outlook in Oklahoma
I wanted to work in a place where I could find a job and grow. Here’s what I found about dentist jobs in Oklahoma.
Dentist Needs in Oklahoma
Just like the rest of the country, Oklahoma expects dentist jobs to grow by 6–8% from 2022–2032. There are more older people and more folks who care about their teeth, so more jobs are coming.
I’ve seen that small towns especially need new dentists. Sometimes they offer bonus money or help with student loans to bring you in. In bigger cities, there’s more competition, but also more people who need dentists.
Cost of Living in Oklahoma
This is where Oklahoma really stands out. Cost of living is about 85–90 (with the U.S. at 100). For me, this meant my pay went further here for stuff like rent, food, and having fun. Even if the number on my paycheck was a little smaller than folks in California or New York, I got to live well, pay off my loans faster, and even save for the future or my own office.
Money Matters for New and Working Dentists
You can’t talk about dentist pay without talking about debt, benefits, and what you really get to keep after taxes.
Student Loans
Most dentists, including me, finish school with a lot of debt. In Oklahoma and around the country, the average dentist finishes owing $300,000 to $350,000+. If you go to the University of Oklahoma, you might pay a bit less, but it’s still a big number.
You have to plan for this right away. There are options like income-driven repayment, refinancing, or forgiveness programs if you work in certain places. The good news: dentists usually make good money and can pay these loans back within about ten years.
Pay and Perks
It’s not just the paycheck. When I look at jobs, I make sure to check everything you get. This often includes:
- Health, dental, and eye insurance
- 401k or retirement plans (sometimes with matching money)
- Insurance for mistakes (malpractice)
- Paid days off and holidays
- Money for more schooling
- Bonuses for good work
If you own your office, you may need to buy these things yourself, but you get to choose what you want. When picking a job or thinking about being a boss, I always add up these perks.
Where to Learn More
If you like to double-check everything like I do, check out these:
- Oklahoma Dental Association (ODA): Membership, help, job search, laws
- University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry: Info about school and costs
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Updated info on pay and jobs
- Salary websites: Salary.com, Indeed, Glassdoor
- Dental job listings: Google Jobs, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter
Want to learn about how dental labs help you do great work? Check out info on a china dental lab, or see what a digital dental lab can add to your office. These can help you do better work and maybe even boost your take-home pay.
Final Thought: Is Tooth Doctor Work in Oklahoma a Good Gig?
If someone asked me if being a dentist in Oklahoma is worth it? I’d say yes, for sure. You get a good paycheck, living here is cheap, and there are lots of jobs. Whether you’re just starting, moving to Oklahoma, or thinking about owning an office, there are lots of chances.
From what I’ve seen, the details matter—where you work, what you do, owning or not, and planning your money smartly are more important than any single pay number. Being a dentist in Oklahoma is about more than just pay. It’s about helping people, growing as a pro, and yes, building real money comfort.
If you’re thinking about it or making a plan, know that Oklahoma is a great place for good dentists. I’ve seen it myself, and my friends would agree.
So, if you want to help people and enjoy solid pay, Oklahoma is a great place to build your dentist career.
Content looked over and checked by Dr. Joe Dental, DDS, to make sure it’s still true and fits Oklahoma dentist standards.
