Dentists can easily earn a six-figure salary.. However, you likely won’t earn the highest-level dentistry pay right out of school. In fact, there are a few different factors that affect how much dentists make a year.
If you’re thinking about a career in this lucrative field, here’s what to know about the starting salaries for dentists, dentist incomes for various specialties and whether the pay is worth dental school debt.
Starting salaries for dentists
Like other professionals who are early in their career, an entry-level general dentist might earn a lower salary than a more experienced one. According to ZipRecruiter, the national average starting salary for dentists is $58,732, which is significantly less than the national average across the profession. However, this can vary by position, location and employer.
Average dentist salaries
Once you gain experience in your career, your earnings potential could skyrocket. The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the average dentist income is $180,830 annually. Dentists working at private practices can earn even more; the American Dental Association (ADA) found that net income for general dentists was $204,710 and that specialists earned an average of $343,410.
What determines a dentist salary?
The typical income you can expect in this line of work depends on a handful of variables. Below are a few factors that can affect dentistry pay.
Location
The city and state where you practice has a significant effect on how much you’ll earn as a dentist. For example, according to state and area data from the BLS, the average wage for a general dentist in Illinois is $198,480, while Wyoming- and Vermont-based dentists earn $133,750 and $254,190, respectively.
Even wages between different areas in the same state can vary considerably. For example, in California, general dentists in the San Francisco metropolitan area earn an average wage of $177,420 per year, while Los Angeles dentists earn an average of $137,020.
Dental specialty
Dental specialties require two to six years of additional residency training. The ADA recognizes 12 dental specialties, all of which have higher salary potential than a career as a general dentist. A few examples of top-paying dental specialties and their mean annual wages, according to the BLS, are:
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeon: $234,990.
- Orthodontist: $237,990.
- Prosthodontist: $196,960.
Specialists stand to earn among the top dentist incomes, but this requires more years of education and potentially more dental loan debt to complete that training in an accredited program.
Years of experience
The number of years you’ve practiced as a licensed dentist can also influence your dentistry pay. With more experience, you’ll qualify for more competitive salaries, and you may be able to accept more patients into your practice.
Public sector vs. private practice
The industry you work for also plays a role in your income. For example, the average income for dentists in offices of dentists is $183,340, according to BLS data, while dentists in general medical and surgical hospitals earn an average of $142,450.
Dentists who work in the private sector, whether general practice or specialty, typically earn more than those in the public sector.
Is becoming a dentist worth it?
The earning potential from a dentistry career is competitive, but you’ll also need to factor in the costs of your education if you’re considering whether this career path is worth it. In addition to earning an undergraduate degree, you’ll need to complete an accredited dental school program and advanced training if you want to specialize.
Dental school graduates from the class of 2019 had an average student loan debt of $292,169, according to data from the American Dental Association. This debt total accounts for unpaid undergraduate loans and loans during dental school.
Before committing to taking on the costs of becoming a dentist, consider whether it’s the best profession for you. Here are some tips to help you decide:
- Shadow a dentist. A shadowing program lets you get a glimpse of what a dentist does day to day, and it’s also a plus on your dental school application.
- Talk to a dental student. Aside from the potential student loan debt that’ll pile on from going to dental school, you’ll face the hours of daily coursework, studying, lab training and more. Talk to an existing dental school student to learn how they manage the demands of dental school.
- Ask yourself if you’d work in the public sector. Dentists who serve in the public sector may qualify for federal loan forgiveness, like Public Service Loan Forgiveness and state repayment programs. If you’re anticipating taking on a lot of debt, this may be part of your consideration.
