Dental Salaries in Lincoln, Nebraska

Dentist: a median of $204,530 a year ($98.33 an hour). That is $24,780 above the Nebraska dentist median of $179,750 and $33,580 above the national median of $170,950. It ranks 1st of the 2 Nebraska metro areas where BLS publishes a dentist median.

Dental Hygienist: a median of $95,100 a year ($45.72 an hour). That is $2,520 above the Nebraska dental hygienist median of $92,580 and $3,000 below the national median of $98,100. It ranks 1st of the 3 Nebraska metro areas where BLS publishes a dental hygienist median.

Dental Lab Technician: a median of $51,020 a year ($24.53 an hour). That is $7,570 below the Nebraska dental lab technician median of $58,590 and $1,410 above the national median of $49,610. It ranks 2nd of the 2 Nebraska metro areas where BLS publishes a dental lab technician median.

Dental Assistant: a median of $48,440 a year ($23.29 an hour). That is $1,780 above the Nebraska dental assistant median of $46,660 and $370 above the national median of $48,070. It ranks 1st of the 3 Nebraska metro areas where BLS publishes a dental assistant median.

Dentist: the middle half of Lincoln dentists earn $153,550 to $249,990. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $86,280 (against $68,040 statewide and $86,250 nationally). The top tenth earn over $273,210 (against $265,940 statewide and $319,630 nationally). The gap between the two is $186,930.

Dental Hygienist: the middle half of Lincoln dental hygienists earn $86,300 to $97,740. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $67,600 (against $67,600 statewide and $74,880 nationally). The top tenth earn over $98,880 (against $98,080 statewide and $126,050 nationally). The gap between the two is $31,280.

Dental Lab Technician: the middle half of Lincoln dental lab technicians earn $40,410 to $59,810. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $40,410 (against $40,410 statewide and $36,660 nationally). The top tenth earn over $66,000 (against $69,990 statewide and $76,940 nationally). The gap between the two is $25,590.

Dental Assistant: the middle half of Lincoln dental assistants earn $46,360 to $49,790. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $38,970 (against $37,810 statewide and $37,130 nationally). The top tenth earn over $57,560 (against $57,430 statewide and $62,250 nationally). The gap between the two is $18,590.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts the Lincoln metro's 2024 price level at 91.6 (U.S. = 100), so prices overall run 8.4% below the national average, and housing costs (index 84.2) run 15.8% below. Nebraska as a whole sits at 90.1.

Converted to national average prices:

• Dentist: $204,530 here buys about what $223,330 buys at national average prices — $52,380 above the national median of $170,950.
• Dental Hygienist: $95,100 here buys about what $103,840 buys at national average prices — $5,740 above the national median of $98,100.
• Dental Lab Technician: $51,020 here buys about what $55,710 buys at national average prices — $6,100 above the national median of $49,610.
• Dental Assistant: $48,440 here buys about what $52,890 buys at national average prices — $4,820 above the national median of $48,070.

Dentists: about 160 jobs in the metro, or 0.902 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dentists hold a 13% larger share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 1.13).

Dental Hygienists: about 280 jobs in the metro, or 1.533 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dental hygienists hold a 7% larger share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 1.07).

Dental Lab Technicians: about 60 jobs in the metro, or 0.351 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dental lab technicians hold a 59% larger share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 1.59).

Dental Assistants: about 580 jobs in the metro, or 3.166 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dental assistants hold a 27% larger share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 1.27).

The closest metro areas with their own salary page and a published median for each role (distance between metro centers, up to 250 miles).

Dentist: Omaha (56 mi) pays $187,400, Sioux City, Iowa (120 mi) pays $191,280 and St. Joseph, Missouri (129 mi) pays $207,450. Lincoln's $204,530 is below 1 of the 3.

Dental Hygienist: Omaha (56 mi) pays $94,170, Sioux City, Iowa (120 mi) pays $83,920 and St. Joseph, Missouri (129 mi) pays $87,370. Lincoln's $95,100 is above all 3.

Dental Lab Technician: Omaha (56 mi) pays $58,630, Des Moines, Iowa (170 mi) pays $47,550 and Kansas City, Missouri (183 mi) pays $56,790. Lincoln's $51,020 is below 2 of the 3.

Dental Assistant: Omaha (56 mi) pays $48,020, Sioux City, Iowa (120 mi) pays $48,590 and St. Joseph, Missouri (129 mi) pays $43,500. Lincoln's $48,440 is below 1 of the 3.