Dentist Salary in Birmingham, AL: $150,802 (2024)
Official 2024 BLS Data | $72.50/hour | $94,595 - $225,584 range
Median Annual Salary
$150,802
Hourly Rate
$72.50
/hour
Jobs in Area
122
employed
Compare to Other Cities
See All →Birmingham, AL
$150,802
San Jose, CA
$233,754
in San Jose, CA
Dentist Salary Range in Birmingham, AL
Annual Salary Range
$95k
10th percentile
$122k
25th
$184k
75th
$226k
90th percentile
Salary Breakdown by Percentile
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry Level) | $94,595 | $45.48 |
| 25th Percentile | $122,290 | $58.79 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $150,802 | $72.50 |
| 75th Percentile | $183,502 | $88.22 |
| 90th Percentile (Top Earners) | $225,584 | $108.45 |
| Average (Mean) | $166,015 | $79.81 |
Dentist Market Insights for Birmingham, AL
Compensation Overview
Dentist compensation in Birmingham, AL aligns with regional expectations. The salary range from $94,595 to $225,584 provides a clear picture of earning potential at different career stages.
Local Market Context
Birmingham, AL offers a lower cost of living compared to major coastal metros, meaning your salary stretches further here. Many professionals find that moderate salaries in Alabama provide comparable or better quality of life than higher-paying positions in expensive cities.
Cost of Living Impact
After adjusting for local cost of living, your effective purchasing power is approximately 11% higher than the nominal salary suggests. This means Birmingham, AL offers strong real earning potential for this role.
Career Outlook
The Dentist profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 138% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.
Tips for Increasing Your Salary
- •Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 50% more than median salaries
- •Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
- •Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise
-12%
vs National Avg
-14%
vs State Avg
138%
Salary Range
122
Jobs in Area
Career Path & Salary Progression
Typical Dentist salary growth in Birmingham, AL based on experience level.
Entry Level
0-2 years10th percentile
$94,595
/year
Early Career
2-5 years25th percentile
$122,290
/year
Mid Career
5-10 years50th percentile
$150,802
/year
Senior
10-15 years75th percentile
$183,502
/year
Expert
15+ years90th percentile
$225,584
/year
Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.
Dentist Job Market in Birmingham, AL
Where Dentists Work
Dentists work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.
Local Employment Landscape
Employment in this occupation is more limited in Birmingham, AL compared to larger metros. Professionals may find opportunities concentrated among fewer employers, making employer research and networking particularly valuable.
Types of Employers Hiring
Large Corporations
Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential
Small to Medium Businesses
May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities
Government Agencies
Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance
Professional Services Firms
Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers
Skills That Increase Earning Potential
Job Search Strategy for Birmingham, AL
- •Research major employers in the Birmingham-Hoover area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
- •Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Alabama
- •Tailor your salary expectations based on the Birmingham, AL market rate of $150,802
- •Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $94,595 in this market
Frequently Asked Questions
The median dentist salary in Birmingham, AL is $150,802 per year ($72.50/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $94,595 for entry-level positions to $225,584 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.
Entry-level dentists in Birmingham, AL typically start at around $94,595 per year ($45.48/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $150,802 within 3-5 years.
Dentists in Birmingham, AL earn a median hourly wage of $72.50 per hour. Hourly rates range from $45.48/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $108.45/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $94,595 and $225,584.
The median dentist salary of $150,802 in Birmingham, AL is below the national median of $170,910 (11.8% lower). Plus, the cost of living is 10% below the national average, stretching your salary further. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of dentists in the area earn more and half earn less.
Dentists in Birmingham, AL earn below the national average. The local median salary of $150,802 is 11.8% lower than the national median of $170,910. Plus, the cost of living is 10% below the national average, stretching your salary further. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $168,118.
The top 10% of dentists in Birmingham, AL earn $225,584 or more per year ($108.45/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $183,502, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.
Key skills that can boost dentist salary in Birmingham, AL include: Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Technical proficiency relevant to the field, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $150,802, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($183,502) or higher. Years of relevant experience
Birmingham, AL has a specialized job market for dentists, with approximately 122 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $150,802 is below the national average. Plus, the cost of living is 10% below the national average, stretching your salary further. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.
Compare your dentist salary to these Birmingham, AL benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $94,595, 25th percentile: $122,290, 50th percentile (median): $150,802, 75th percentile: $183,502, 90th percentile (top earners): $225,584. If you earn more than $150,802, you're above average for the area.
Beyond the $150,802 median base salary, dentists in Birmingham, AL typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.
Experienced dentists with 5-10 years in Birmingham, AL typically earn $183,502 (75th percentile) to $225,584 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $225,584. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $150,802.
Dentists in Birmingham, AL can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($94,595) to median ($150,802) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($225,584) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $130,989 over a career.
Data Source & Methodology
Official government statistics you can trust
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program
Visit Official BLS WebsiteData Year
2024
2 Years Old
Geographic Area
Birmingham-Hoover
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Occupation Code
29-1021
SOC Classification
Sample Size
122
Employees Surveyed
How This Data Is Collected
The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.
Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.
Last updated: January 23, 2026
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Dentist in Birmingham, AL
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Median: $150,802/yr
How Birmingham, AL Compares
vs National Average
$170,910
vs Alabama Average
$175,341
Cost-of-Living Adjusted
$168,118
Cost of living in Birmingham, AL is 10.3% below the national average.