How Much Do Dentists Make in Oklahoma? 2024 Salary Guide & Analysis
Short answer first. Most general dentists in Oklahoma make about $165,000 to $190,000 a year. Some make less. Many make more. In this guide, I show you the pay by city, specialty, and experience. I also show you how to boost what you actually bring home with some smart moves. You get clear numbers, simple steps, and a plan you can use.
Table of Contents
- Introduction: Why Oklahoma dentist pay matters now
- What is the average dentist salary in Oklahoma in 2024?
- How much do specialists make in Oklahoma?
- How does experience change your pay?
- Do Oklahoma City and Tulsa pay more?
- What factors change dentist compensation in Oklahoma?
- How does Oklahoma compare to the national average?
- What is the job outlook for dentists in Oklahoma?
- What money issues should new and current dentists plan for?
- How can you increase your income in Oklahoma this year?
- Data table: Dentist salaries and related figures
- City notes: OKC, Tulsa, Norman, Broken Arrow, Edmond, and rural areas
- Quick answers to common questions (FAQ)
- References
- Key takeaways
Introduction: Why Oklahoma dentist pay matters now
Problem: You want the real numbers. You want the dentist salary Oklahoma average and the median dentist salary. You want to see the dentist salary range Oklahoma by city, specialty, and role. You don’t want confusing explanations.
Agitate: The internet can give you mixed info. One site says one thing. Another says something else. You need a simple, trusted map you can actually use now.
Solution: I built this guide for you. I use clear data and plain words. I show you average dentist income OK, the Oklahoma dentist hourly wage, and how practice type and patient volume change pay. I also show you how to lower overhead costs and increase your take-home pay without working longer hours.
What is the average dentist salary in Oklahoma in 2024?
Let’s start easy. For 2024, most sources say the average pay for general dentists in Oklahoma is between $165,000 and $190,000. The overall average dentist salary is about $175,000 to $195,000 depending on how many are general dentists vs. specialists. The median dentist salary is around $170,000 to $185,000. The hourly wage for many Oklahoma dentists is $84 to $94 per hour.
New grads ask, “How much do new dentists make in Oklahoma?” First job offers for an entry level dentist salary Oklahoma are often $125,000 to $155,000. These jobs might come with bonuses, some benefits, and money for continuing education. As you learn more, pay usually rises.
You see a big dentist salary range Oklahoma because pay goes up when you see more patients, handle better-paying jobs, and get more people saying yes to care. Where you work matters too. Cities like Oklahoma City and Tulsa can pay a bit more. Some rural areas have bonus offers, but you might see fewer patients.
How much do specialists make in Oklahoma?
Specialists get paid more since they do harder things. Here’s a simple look:
- Orthodontist salary Oklahoma: about $260,000 to $360,000+
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon salary Oklahoma: about $310,000 to $460,000+
- Pediatric dentist salary Oklahoma: about $210,000 to $290,000
- Endodontist salary Oklahoma: often higher than general dentists
- Periodontist salary Oklahoma: good earnings if you do surgeries or implants
- Prosthodontist salary Oklahoma: depends on how many big cases and lab work you do
- General dentist salary Oklahoma: around $165,000 to $190,000
Why such a gap? Training for specialists is longer and harder. Type of practice matters too. A good private practice or group practice with lots of referrals helps you make more. A corporate dentist salary Oklahoma at a DSO is pretty steady with benefits. A public health dentist salary Oklahoma pays less but often comes with help for your student loans.
How does experience change your pay?
Your years of experience matter a lot.
- Entry-level/New graduate dentist salary Oklahoma: about $125,000 to $155,000
- Mid-career dentist salary Oklahoma (5–10 years): about $160,000 to $200,000+ if you’re busy
- Experienced dentist salary Oklahoma (10+ years): many go over $220,000, and the top 10% can reach $260,000 to $310,000+
Practice owners can make more if they keep their costs down. The associate dentist vs owner dentist salary Oklahoma difference is a big deal. Owners take on more work and risk, but control fees, insurance mix, marketing, and the schedule. That means more money left over.
Do Oklahoma City and Tulsa pay more?
A common question: “How much do dentists make in Oklahoma City?” and “What about dentist salary Tulsa OK?” Usually:
- Dentist salary in Oklahoma City (OKC): often 5–8% more than the state average for general dentists
- Dentist salary in Tulsa: close to the state average or up to 5% more
- Norman Oklahoma dentist salary and Dentist salary Broken Arrow are near the state average
- Edmond Oklahoma dentist pay is about the same as OKC, depending on the office
- Some rural Oklahoma dentist salary offers give bonus money or loan help, but base pay is often 10–15% less than the state average. Living costs are lower though, so your money goes further
Pay follows patient demand. Cities like OKC and Tulsa pay more since there are more patients. Rural areas offer bonuses to attract dentists and sometimes give more time off and lower costs.
What factors change dentist compensation in Oklahoma?
Here’s what you need to know:
- Type of practice: Private practice (solo or group practice) usually pays with a base and a bonus for more work. A corporate dentist salary Oklahoma at a DSO gives regular pay and benefits. Public Health Dentist jobs focus on helping people, steady hours, and help with student loans.
- Patient volume & insurance: The more people you treat, the more you make. If many of your patients use Medicaid/Soonercare, you may get paid less per job unless you keep things running smoothly. A good mix of insurance and cash helps you out.
- Overhead costs: Rent, staff, supplies, and lab fees eat into your pay. Owning a practice means watching these close. Saving money on supplies and picking a good lab partner helps.
- Training & certifications: More skills mean more money. If you can do implants, use sedation, or offer clear aligners, you can earn more. The right specialization or service can raise your pay and make things steadier.
Problem: Many dentists lose money because their bills are too high.
Agitate: You work hard but don’t see the results in your bank account. Overhead eats up your profit.
Solution: Fix your systems and manage your schedule. Work with partners who help you get work done well and quickly. Using a strong digital dental lab can help you cut do-overs and make patients happier—which keeps them coming back and leads to more referrals.
How does Oklahoma compare to the national average?
Oklahoma usually pays a bit less than the average U.S. state for general dentists. But the cost of living in Oklahoma is low compared to most other places. The score is about 83–88 versus the national 100. So your money stretches longer here.
That means a dentist in Oklahoma can live pretty well on the same or even less pay than a dentist in a city where costs are high. Houses, taxes, and normal expenses are cheaper. That helps you pay off student loans faster.
If you look at neighboring states like Texas and Kansas, pay can be different city to city. Your own focus and workflow might mean more than which state you’re in.
What is the job outlook for dentists in Oklahoma?
The Oklahoma dentist job outlook is steady. Many sources say there will be about 6% growth through 2032, close to the national average. Dentist jobs in Oklahoma stay strong in both city and rural areas. Some specialist jobs like oral surgery and kids’ dentistry are in good shape too.
Groups like the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Dental Association (ODA), and American Dental Association (ADA) track these trends and share updates.
What money issues should new and current dentists plan for?
Let’s talk about your money and future.
- Student loan debt for Oklahoma dentists: Look into income-driven repayment plans, or refinance if it makes sense. Some jobs, especially out in the country, will help pay your loans.
- Overhead costs for dentists Oklahoma: Watch your spending on supplies, staff, and rent. A good budget helps you keep more of your pay.
- Insurance reimbursement dentist Oklahoma: Check your fee schedules and renegotiate when you can. Help your patients understand their care so more say yes.
- Malpractice insurance: Make sure you’re covered but don’t overpay. Stay out of trouble to keep costs down.
- Licensure and CE: Keep your Oklahoma dental license and stay up to date on learning. The more you grow, the more you can earn.
If you want to own a practice, buying one can raise your income if you get a good deal. Ask about practice revenue, overhead, who pays for care, and how many patients come in. Buy smart, fix what’s not working, and you’ll build wealth over time.
How can you increase your income in Oklahoma this year?
These steps can help you right now:
- Add high value work: Do more with clear aligners, implants, and same-day smiles. Use a reliable implant dental laboratory to save time and cut do-overs.
- Improve crowns and bridges: Pick a good crown and bridge lab so your work fits well and lasts. See options like a proven crown and bridge lab.
- Go digital: Use digital scanners, not messy impressions. You’ll work faster and get better results with a digital dental lab.
- Add services like night guards: These help patients and bring in steady money. A good night guard dental lab makes things easy.
- Tidy up your schedule: Book patients for higher-paying work. Try to fill your days and keep your team motivated.
- Measure the right numbers: Watch production per hour, how many patients say yes, rebookings, and how busy your hygiene team is.
These moves help you earn more, see happier patients, and grow your practice.
Data table: Dentist salaries and related figures
Here’s a chart with numbers from public sources, checked for 2024. Your pay might be higher or lower, depending on lots of factors.
| Metric | Oklahoma (Average / Range) | National (Average / Range) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Average Dentist Salary | $175,000 – $195,000 | $195,000 – $205,000 | Changes depending on source |
| Median Dentist Salary | $170,000 – $185,000 | $185,000 – $198,000 | Right in the middle |
| Hourly Wage (Average) | $84 – $94/hour | $94 – $98/hour | If you work 40 hours/week |
| Top 10% Earners (OK) | $260,000 – $310,000+ | $300,000 – $370,000+ | Specialists or busy owners |
| Bottom 10% Earners (OK) | $95,000 – $125,000 | $115,000 – $145,000 | Usually new or not busy |
| Entry-Level Dentist (0–2 yrs) | $125,000 – $155,000 | $135,000 – $165,000 | Some get bonuses |
| General Dentist (Average) | $165,000 – $190,000 | $185,000 – $200,000 | Most dentists |
| Orthodontist (Average) | $260,000 – $360,000+ | $280,000 – $390,000+ | Great demand |
| Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon (Average) | $310,000 – $460,000+ | $360,000 – $510,000+ | High earners |
| Pediatric Dentist (Average) | $210,000 – $290,000 | $230,000 – $310,000 | Growing area |
| Dentist Salary in OKC | ~5–8% above state avg | N/A | Bigger city, more patients |
| Dentist Salary in Tulsa | ~State avg to 5% above | N/A | Similar to OKC |
| Rural Oklahoma Dentist Salary | ~10–15% below state avg | N/A | Costs less to live there |
| Job Outlook for Dentists (OK) | ~6% growth (2022–2032) | ~6% growth (2022–2032) | Like the rest of the U.S. |
| Cost of Living Index (OK) | ~83–88 | 100 | Cheaper to live in OK |
City notes: OKC, Tulsa, Norman, Broken Arrow, Edmond, and rural areas
In Oklahoma City (OKC), if you keep up a good schedule, you can earn more since it’s a bigger market. Tulsa is about the same, with some bumps if you do well or join a busy group.
For Norman, Broken Arrow, and Edmond, most dentists make about what the state average shows. The range changes a bit with office size and what benefits or bonuses you get. Group practice dentist salary Oklahoma often comes with more benefits, while independent contractor salary Oklahoma can pay more per day but fewer extras.
In smaller towns and rural places, rural vs urban dentist salaries in Oklahoma are different. You may get paid less base, but the lower cost of living and sometimes extra help with loans can mean you still come out ahead.
Quick answers to common questions (FAQ)
Q: What affects a general dentist salary Oklahoma the most?
A: Types of care you do, how many people you see, your costs, and what kind of insurance your patients have.
Q: How do I compare dentist salary versus cost of living in Oklahoma City or Tulsa?
A: Check the pay and what benefits you get. Then look up the cost of living. OKC and Tulsa are cheaper than most U.S. cities.
Q: What about dental residency salary Oklahoma?
A: Dental residents make less since they’re still training, but it helps boost your pay later.
Q: How do I get a better associate dentist salary Oklahoma?
A: Bring info about your work. Show how many people you help and what you bring to the office. Ask for fair base pay and a real bonus plan.
References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment and Wage Stats (OEWS), Dentists, data 2022–2023
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
- American Dental Association (ADA), Health Policy Institute reports
- Oklahoma Dental Association (ODA), member stats and market facts
- BestPlaces and Numbeo, cost of living data
- Oklahoma State Department of Health, provider needs and locations
Note: All numbers are estimates. Real pay will be different for each person, office, and city. Always check more than one source and talk with local dentists and recruiters for the full story.
Key takeaways
- Most general dentists in Oklahoma make about $165,000–$190,000 per year.
- Entry pay is about $125,000–$155,000. Top earners can reach $260,000+.
- Specialists like surgeons and orthodontists can make $260,000–$460,000+.
- OKC and Tulsa usually pay 5–8% more than the state average.
- Low cost of living in Oklahoma means your money goes further.
- Lower your costs, pick the right services to offer, and use quality lab partners to keep more pay.
- Add services like implants, crowns, and night guards to grow your business.
- Plan for your loans, license, learning, and make sure your insurance is up to date.
- Track your results and keep getting better—small changes add up!
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If you want to really understand your dentist pay in Oklahoma, you’ll look at terms like average dentist income OK, dentist pay scale Oklahoma, and dentist earning potential Oklahoma. You’ll compare jobs in private practice, corporate, public health and different cities (Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Broken Arrow, Edmond, and rural areas). You’ll think about what you do each day—like patient numbers, insurance types, and costs for running your office. You’ll also look at what it takes to own a practice or work as an associate, plus how things like the cost of living, loans, and job trends affect you in 2024.
Start with your own numbers: track your work, fix one thing in your schedule, or try a better lab. Even one upgrade—like a new digital scan, better crowns, or adding implants—can raise your pay and make your day smoother. You’ve got the info. Now you can make your next step with confidence.
