SOC 29-1021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dentists, General — Lakeland
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Lakeland, FL comes to $205,300 a year, ahead of the national median of $170,950 by 20.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Lakeland, FL comes to $205,300 a year, ahead of the national median of $170,950 by 20.1%. Pay ranges from under $121,450 at the tenth percentile to more than $307,430 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $164,640 to $207,970.
The area has 210 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.97 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, North Port records the highest median at $241,850. Of the 429 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 4th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $121,450 | −29.0% |
| 25th | $164,640 | −3.7% |
| Median (50th) | $205,300 | +20.1% |
| 75th | $207,970 | +21.7% |
| 90th | $307,430 | +79.8% |
| Mean | $197,590 | +15.6% |
Other metro areas in Florida
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Port | $241,850 | 450 | |
| 2 | Orlando | $212,300 | 1,320 | |
| 3 | Ocala | $203,980 | 100 | |
| 4 | Palm Bay | $199,990 | 230 | |
| 5 | Gainesville | $184,220 | 140 | |
| 6 | Cape Coral | $178,970 | 190 | |
| 7 | Sebastian | $174,910 | 70 | |
| 8 | Miami | $172,210 | 3,270 | |
| 9 | Panama City | $172,180 | 60 | |
| 10 | Punta Gorda | $171,220 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lakeland run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $205,300 buys what $198,549 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 16.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$205,300as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$198,549US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $205,300 a year, 20.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $121,450 to $307,430 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 210 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is North Port, at $241,850.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dentists, General in Lakeland, FL?
The median annual wage is $205,300, or $98.70 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $170,950, so pay in Lakeland, FL is 20.1% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Lakeland, FL earns more than $307,430 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $121,450 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in North Port, at $241,850 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 210 jobs in this occupation in Lakeland, FL. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data