How Much Do Dentists Make in Missouri? Unpacking Earning Potential in 2024

Table of Contents

• Experience Level
• Geographic Location
• Dental Specialty
• Practice Type & Ownership
• Patient Volume, Procedures, and Practice Overhead

• St. Louis
• Kansas City
• Springfield
• Columbia

Introduction: My Journey Unlocking Missouri Dentist Salaries

When I first started looking into a dental career in Missouri, I wasn’t just interested in helping people with their smiles. Like a lot of people, I wanted to know—after all the studying and hands-on practice—what can I really expect to make? What will my paycheck look like in St. Louis compared to Kansas City or somewhere out in the country? And is going to dental school really worth it in the end?

I’ve spent a long time looking for simple answers, talking to local dentists, checking Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), salary sites, and learning the real difference between working in a private office versus a big dental company. I’ve picked up a lot along the way—some good, some less exciting. Today, I’ll tell you everything I’ve found about how much dentists make in Missouri, what really changes their pay, and how you can make the most of it.

The Average Dentist Salary in Missouri: A Snapshot

Let’s start simple.

Recent numbers from the BLS say the average yearly pay for a general dentist in Missouri is about $185,000. That’s pretty close to the national average, but there’s a lot more to the story.

• Median Salary: About $175,000 (so half make less and half make more).
• Usual Range: From $120,000 for brand-new dentists in smaller towns up to $250,000+ for dentists with more experience or those who own their own office.
• Hourly Pay: Most dentists make $70 to $120+ per hour, depending on their job and hours worked.

These numbers include both full-time workers and owners. If you’re a specialist—like an orthodontist or oral surgeon—you could make $300,000, $400,000, or more.

If you’re checking dental pay, always look at a few sources. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, Salary.com, Glassdoor, and Payscale all have updated numbers you can trust. You can also try the Missouri Dental Association.

Factors Influencing Dentist Salaries in Missouri

To really understand pay differences, you should look at what makes those numbers go up or down. Here’s what matters most:

Experience Level

Graduating with your dental degree gets you started, but experience changes everything. Usually, it goes like this:

• Starting Out (0–2 Years): New grads—often with lots of student debt—see job offers from $120,000 to $140,000, especially working as employees in big offices.
• A Few Years In (3–9 Years): Once you get the hang of things, pay goes up, usually to $165,000 to $180,000.
• Experienced Dentists (10+ Years): With a solid patient list or your own office, earning $200,000 to $250,000 (or more) is pretty normal.

Those first few years can be tough, especially with loans to pay. But almost every dentist I’ve met says picking the right dental specialty, learning about running a business, and earning your patients’ trust really pays off later.

Geographic Location

I was surprised by how much where you work in Missouri can change your pay.

• Big Cities (St. Louis, Kansas City): More people means more patients and higher pay—but also more dentists competing, and higher rent and costs.
• Medium Cities (Springfield, Columbia): Steady pay, a good number of patients, and less competition than big cities.
• Country Towns: Lower cost of living and not many competitors but maybe fewer patients or less insurance money. In some small towns, they even give bonuses or help with loans to get new dentists to move there.

I know someone practicing in rural Missouri who takes home just as much as a friend in St. Louis, since office costs are much lower. Fewer workers, cheaper rent, and loyal patients can make a big difference in what you actually put in your pocket.

Dental Specialty

You probably hear in school that specialists make more money. It’s right:

• Oral Surgeons: $300,000 up to $450,000+
• Orthodontists: $250,000+
• Endodontists, Periodontists, Prosthodontists: Usually $220,000 to $350,000, depending on skill
• Pediatric Dentists: Often $200,000 to $250,000

But don’t forget—these jobs need more training and take more years to finish. The bigger paycheck usually comes after a while.

Practice Type & Ownership

After thinking about working for a big company versus opening an office, I can say—being the boss has its ups and downs.

• Office Owner: You earn more if you get more patients, keep costs under control, and know how to run a business. A strong office can bring in $250,000+, but if things go slow, your pay can drop.
• Employed Dentist (Private or Chain Office): You know what you’ll make. Most jobs pay a set amount and sometimes a bonus based on work done. Normal range: $120,000–$190,000.
• Chain Dentistry (Dental Service Organizations): Regular pay and benefits. Less to worry about with paperwork, but the top amount you can earn is often lower than if you owned the office.
• Public/Government Jobs (like VA): Safe pay and good benefits, but often the lowest paycheck—usually $110,000–$150,000.

Some of the happiest dentists I know work in group practices or for big dental groups because they can just do dentistry and not stress over the business stuff.

Patient Volume, Work Done, and Costs

Here’s a not-so-fun truth: What’s left after costs is your real pay. If you see lots of patients but 70% goes out the door for rent, staff, tools, and insurance, you don’t have much left.

Dentists who plan out their schedules, buy better tools, and keep patients coming back usually earn more. I’ve seen two dentists in the same city, seeing the same number of people, but one keeps much more money just by running things better.

Dentist Salaries in Major Missouri Cities

Talking to dentists from all over Missouri, I saw pay can be pretty different by city. Here’s what I found:

St. Louis, MO

St. Louis is usually at the top. Average pay here is $170,000 up to $250,000+, especially for those with experience or who own their office. Tons of patients and a big healthcare system help a lot, but rent and office costs in the best spots can take a big bite out of your profit.

Kansas City, MO

Kansas City is right behind. Doctors here make about $175,000 to $200,000 on average. The city’s mix of people and growing healthcare field help shape both pay and job openings. Again, higher rent and payroll take some of your profit, but there are still plenty of patients.

Springfield, MO

Springfield gives dentists steady work and a bit less office cost. Dentists here usually earn $160,000 to $190,000, with specialists making more than $200,000. There are all kinds of offices—private, group, and chain.

Columbia, MO

With a big university and steady need for dentists, Columbia is another solid pick. Dentist pay runs from $150,000 to $180,000, but some owners do even better.

Rural Missouri

I can’t leave out small towns in Missouri. Here, most dentists make $140,000 to $170,000, plus they have lower house and office costs. For those who want to help in places that need it, there are extra benefits—like help with student loans or sign-on bonuses.

Comparing Missouri Dentist Salaries to National Averages

So how does Missouri compare with the rest of the country?

National Median Salary: BLS says it’s about $163,220. Missouri’s is a bit higher—usually $175,000–$185,000.

• Midwest States: Missouri does well when compared to neighbors like Kansas or Iowa. And because it costs less to live here, your money goes further. Big cities on the coasts may pay more, but after you buy your house and cover office costs, you might have more money leftover living in Missouri.

Dentists I know who moved from the East or West Coast said their money just “lasted longer” in Missouri, even if the paycheck wasn’t a ton bigger.

Career Outlook and Demand for Dentists in Missouri

Will there still be lots of jobs for dentists in Missouri in the future? As far as I can see, yes—though there are some things to think about.

Expected Job Growth: The whole country is looking at about a 6% rise in dentist jobs over the coming years. Missouri has an older population and people are focusing more on keeping their teeth healthy, so we see the same pattern here. Smaller towns often need more dentists, and they sometimes offer big signs to get new dentists to move out there.

From what’s happening, there are always jobs in both group offices and bigger companies. Growth may not be fast, but it’s steady. Most new grads from places like UMKC School of Dentistry get jobs fast, especially if they’re open to working somewhere besides the biggest cities.

Shortage Areas: If you’re okay living in smaller places, you’ll find counties that really want new dentists—and they sometimes offer big rewards. For someone starting out, these towns can help you earn more and grow quickly.

Maximizing Your Earning Potential as a Dentist in Missouri

Here’s what I learned about making more as a dentist:

Get a Specialty or Extra Training

Specialties don’t just sound fancy—they pay more. If you have the drive for more years of school, being an oral surgeon or an orthodontist can easily double or triple what you’d make as a general dentist. Even getting good at certain work, like placing implants or making pretty smiles (veneers), can bring in more patients and more money.

Think About Owning or Partnering in an Office

It’s not for everyone, but having your own office means you control how much you pay yourself. I’ve seen employees hit a wall, but smart owners with lots of patients and good cost control can make $50,000 or more extra every year. Still, buying an office is a big deal—prices in Missouri are different in every city and based on how busy the place is.

Keep Learning and Upgrading Your Skills

Dentistry isn’t a job you just learn once. The ones who keep up with new tricks, use new tools (think digital or 3D dental lab), and keep on learning always end up making more. If you can do new things, like fix sleep apnea, give people great smiles, or offer crowns in a day, you stand out and make more.

Build Relationships and Manage Your Office Well

Success isn’t just about fixing teeth—it’s about who you know. Having good connections with specialists (like finding a great crown and bridge lab), joining local dental groups (like the Missouri Dental Association), and talking to other dentists bring new patients and open doors.

Running your office well is key, too—good schedules, loyal staff, and the right mix of work will fill your chair and keep money in your pocket.

Resources for Aspiring and Current Dentists in Missouri

Here are some places I trust for real and updated info:

• Missouri Dental Association (MDA): Has info on pay, job help, classes, and connecting with others.
• University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry (UMKC): Your main place for info on getting into dental school, costs, and job rates.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook: The best place for honest, updated pay and job facts.
• Job Boards: Search places like Indeed and Glassdoor for real job openings and pay rates for Missouri dental jobs.

If you want to learn more about things like partnering with special dental labs, check out how a good digital dental lab or a skilled zirconia lab can help you offer more for your patients and maybe even help your bottom line.

But most of all, talk to dentists in Missouri! Chat with them at local events or just reach out. You’ll get stories about office life, pay tips, and the real problems they deal with every day.

Conclusion: Is Dentistry a Lucrative Career in Missouri?

After all my digging, talking to other dentists, and going through this myself, here’s what I can say: Being a dentist in Missouri pays solidly—especially if you make smart choices.

If you’re careful about where and how you work, keep learning, and get to know your patients, you really can build a great career. It’s not always easy—school loans are a pain, office costs can be tough, and patients’ needs change—but people will always need skilled, caring dentists.

No matter if you’re just starting school, looking for a job, or thinking about buying an office—get the real numbers, ask for straightforward advice, and learn some business skills. From what I’ve seen, that’s the real way to turn being a dentist in Missouri into a job you can be proud of—and one that pays the bills.