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2024 Data

Dentist Salary in Cleveland, OH: $159,366 (2024)

Official 2024 BLS Data | $76.62/hour | $107,198 - $231,678 range

Median Annual Salary

$159,366

6.8% vs national

Hourly Rate

$76.62

/hour

Jobs in Area

125

employed

Salary Range$107,198 - $231,678
10th %Median90th %

Compare to Other Cities

See All →

Cleveland, OH

$159,366

San Jose, CA

$233,754

$74,388 more (+46.7%)

in San Jose, CA

Dentist Salary Range in Cleveland, OH

Annual Salary Range

$159k

$107k

10th percentile

$134k

25th

$197k

75th

$232k

90th percentile

Salary Breakdown by Percentile

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$107,198$51.54
25th Percentile$134,020$64.43
Median (50th Percentile)$159,366$76.62
75th Percentile$196,686$94.56
90th Percentile (Top Earners)$231,678$111.38
Average (Mean)$169,570$81.52

Dentist Market Insights for Cleveland, OH

Compensation Overview

Dentist compensation in Cleveland, OH aligns with regional expectations. The salary range from $107,198 to $231,678 provides a clear picture of earning potential at different career stages.

Local Market Context

Cleveland, OH offers competitive compensation that aligns closely with national benchmarks. The Ohio economy supports a diverse range of industries, providing stable employment opportunities across multiple sectors.

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 116% 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 45% more than median salaries
  • Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
  • Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise

-7%

vs National Avg

-5%

vs State Avg

116%

Salary Range

125

Jobs in Area

Career Path & Salary Progression

Typical Dentist salary growth in Cleveland, OH based on experience level.

🎓

Entry Level

0-2 years

10th percentile

$107,198

/year

📈

Early Career

2-5 years

25th percentile

$134,020

/year

💼

Mid Career

5-10 years

50th percentile

$159,366

/year

🎯

Senior

10-15 years

75th percentile

$196,686

/year

Expert

15+ years

90th percentile

$231,678

/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 Cleveland, OH

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 Cleveland, OH 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

Advanced certifications in your specialtyLeadership and team managementData analysis and reportingCommunication and presentation skillsIndustry-specific software proficiency

Job Search Strategy for Cleveland, OH

  • Research major employers in the Cleveland-Elyria area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
  • Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Ohio
  • Tailor your salary expectations based on the Cleveland, OH market rate of $159,366
  • Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $107,198 in this market

Frequently Asked Questions

The median dentist salary in Cleveland, OH is $159,366 per year ($76.62/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $107,198 for entry-level positions to $231,678 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.

Entry-level dentists in Cleveland, OH typically start at around $107,198 per year ($51.54/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 $159,366 within 3-5 years.

Dentists in Cleveland, OH earn a median hourly wage of $76.62 per hour. Hourly rates range from $51.54/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $111.38/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $107,198 and $231,678.

The median dentist salary of $159,366 in Cleveland, OH is slightly below the national median of $170,910 (6.8% lower). The cost of living is also 9% below average. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of dentists in the area earn more and half earn less.

Dentists in Cleveland, OH earn slightly below the national average. The local median salary of $159,366 is 6.8% lower than the national median of $170,910. The cost of living is also 9% below average. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $174,170.

The top 10% of dentists in Cleveland, OH earn $231,678 or more per year ($111.38/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $196,686, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.

Key skills that can boost dentist salary in Cleveland, OH 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 $159,366, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($196,686) or higher. Years of relevant experience

Cleveland, OH has a specialized job market for dentists, with approximately 125 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $159,366 is slightly below the national average. The cost of living is also 9% below average. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.

Compare your dentist salary to these Cleveland, OH benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $107,198, 25th percentile: $134,020, 50th percentile (median): $159,366, 75th percentile: $196,686, 90th percentile (top earners): $231,678. If you earn more than $159,366, you're above average for the area.

Beyond the $159,366 median base salary, dentists in Cleveland, OH 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 Cleveland, OH typically earn $196,686 (75th percentile) to $231,678 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $231,678. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $159,366.

Dentists in Cleveland, OH can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($107,198) to median ($159,366) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($231,678) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $124,480 over a career.

Data Source & Methodology

Official government statistics you can trust

Primary Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program

Visit Official BLS Website

Data Year

2024

2 Years Old

Geographic Area

Cleveland-Elyria

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Occupation Code

29-1021

SOC Classification

Sample Size

125

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 Cleveland, OH

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Median: $159,366/yr

How Cleveland, OH Compares

vs National Average

$170,910

-6.8%

vs Ohio Average

$167,923

-5.1%

Cost-of-Living Adjusted

$174,170

+9.3%

Cost of living in Cleveland, OH is 8.5% below the national average.

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Dentist Jobs in Cleveland, OH

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