Dentistry is a high-paying profession. However, some dentists make more than others.
Highest Paying Jobs in Dentistry
Reviewed By : Ramsey Michael
Published: Apr 11, 2023
One difference in earnings relates to whether they are a general dentist or a specialist. Specialists usually earn more than general dentists.
- Dental anesthesiology
- Dental public health
- Endodontics
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Oral medicine
- Orofacial pain
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
Highest Paying Location
Average Salary of a Dentist
So you may be wondering how much does a dentist make? When you factor in all the details that affect income, you can come up with the average salary of a dentist for a clinician in the US. A general dentist averages a little over $163,000 or around $78 an hour, per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
What a general dentist makes annually varies depending upon the state where the general dentist practices. For example, per the BLS in May 2021, a general dentist in California averages just under $166,000, but a general dentist in Texas averages $150,000. Other state averages include Florida, at $164,000; New York, at $171,000; and Virginia, at $163,000.
How Much Do Specialty Dentists Make?
Dental specialists make significantly more than general dentists, regardless of the state they choose to practice. Per Student Loan Planner®, specialists make from $200,000 to $324,000.
What is the Highest Paying Job in Dentistry?
The highest paying job in dentistry is the one that requires the most school and takes the most risk: oral and maxillofacial surgeons in private practice. The average annual income for these specialists is $323,700.[3]
Per ZipRecruiter, the following three best-paying jobs in dentistry were:[4]
- Endodontists with a salary range of $248,000 to $390,000 annually.
- Orthodontists with a salary range of $260,000 to $373,000 annually.
- Prosthodontist with a salary range of $185,000 to $360,000 annually.
Best Paying States for the Dental Industry?
Looking for a dentist job? Find out about dentist jobs with PDS
Sources
[1] Urquiaga P. 6 Highest Paying Dental Specialty Jobs - masc. mascmedical.com. https://mascmedical.com/6-highest-paying-dental-specialty-jobs/. Published 2021. Accessed June 16, 2022.
[2] Clark C. What Is the Average Dental School Debt? - NerdWallet. NerdWallet.com. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/student-loans/average-dental-school-debt. Published 2022. Accessed June 16, 2022.
[3] Marquit M. 10 Highest-Paid Dental Specialty Careers for Aspiring Dentists - Student Loan Planner. studentloanplanner.com. https://www.studentloanplanner.com/highest-paid-dental-specialty/. Published 2022. Accessed June 16, 2022.
[4] 24 of the Highest Paying Dentist Jobs in 2022. ziprecruiter.com. https://www.ziprecruiter.com/g/Highest-Paying-Dentist-Jobs. Accessed June 16, 2022.
The information provided by Pacific Dental Services in this blog is intended to educate readers about oral health and related topics. However, it is not a substitute for professional advice or career guidance from a qualified dental professional or educator. It is important to seek the help of experts for any concerns related to oral health or career planning.