Salary distribution
Where San Diego dentists, general fall on the wage curve.
Distribution not available
The Bureau of Labor Statistics suppresses wage percentiles for this occupation and state when the surveyed cell has too few employers to publish without revealing individual firm pay. National figures and adjacent states below remain a useful reference.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 5.0 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Finger Dexterity
Ability
- 4.2 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Judgment and Decision Making
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.1 / 5
Inductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
- 02
Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, or other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments.
- 03
Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
- 04
Use dental air turbines, hand instruments, dental appliances, or surgical implements.
- 05
Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
- 06
Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.
- 07
Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications.
- 08
Advise or instruct patients regarding preventive dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, or oral health care services.
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How the San Diego metro compares to other major California metro areas for dentists, general.
- San Francisco$205,380
- Sacramento$204,320
- San Jose$181,230
- Los Angeles$176,200
- Riverside$161,790
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Dentists, General in San Diego, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Dentists, General in the San Diego metropolitan area is $176,970.
- Does San Diego pay more than the California state average for Dentists, General?
- The San Diego metro median is -0.9% versus the California state median of $178,540.
- How does San Diego compare to the national median for Dentists, General?
- The San Diego metro median is +4.0% versus the BLS national figure of $170,118.
- What education is required for Dentists, General?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Diego CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.