Dentist Salary France: A Simple Guide to Earnings & What Changes Them (2024 Update)
Wondering how much dentists make in France? Whether you want to be a dentist, are thinking about moving, or just want to know what dentists earn, this guide has you covered. We’ll explain everything: what beginners get paid, how where you work changes your pay, how owning a practice works, and how dental jobs compare to others. Get a comfy chair—let’s make dentist pay in France easy to understand!
Table of Contents
The Big Picture: How Much Do Dentists Make in France?
Let’s start with the basics. In France, dentist pay depends on lots of things—but there are clear numbers you can expect.
Average Dentist Pay in France (Quick Look)
Most new dentists just starting out make about €40,000 to €60,000 a year. After a few years, this can go up a lot. Dentists with some experience get around €60,000 to €120,000 a year. The best pay comes after many years. Older dentists, especially if they run their own dental business or do special work, can earn €120,000 to even €250,000+ every year!
Here’s a simple table that shows what dentists can make at different stages:
| Experience | Gross Pay per Year (€) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0-3 yrs) | 40,000 – 60,000 | Usually working for someone or just started a clinic |
| Mid-Career (4-9 yrs) | 60,000 – 120,000 | More patients, better known |
| Senior (10+ yrs) | 120,000 – 250,000+ | Mostly clinic owners or very skilled |
| General Average | 85,000 – 120,000 | All dentists together |
But that’s just the beginning. Let’s see what can change these numbers.
What Changes a Dentist’s Pay?
No two dentists make exactly the same amount. Why? Because a dentist’s pay in France depends on a few big things:
- Experience (how long you’ve worked)
- Special job (like fixing braces or doing surgeries)
- Place you work (big city or small town)
- Type of job (owner or worker at a hospital or clinic)
- Government or Private Practice
Let’s talk about each one in simple words.
How Experience Changes Pay
Dentists fresh from school start with less money. Once they have more years on the job and more regular patients, their pay goes up. Older dentists, often clinic owners or experts, get much more.
Why Special Jobs Matter
Some dentists focus on one kind of teeth problem—like straightening teeth, pulling wisdom teeth, or root canals. These jobs need special classes and training. They normally pay more!
Big City vs. Small Town
Working in Paris or Lyon means higher pay but also higher bills. Dentists in small towns may have fewer patients, but they don’t have as much competition. Sometimes, they even get extra pay for working in places where there aren’t enough doctors.
Pay as Owner vs. Hospital Worker
If you own your practice, you can make more—but you have more risks and need to spend on your business. If you work for a hospital or big clinic, your pay is more steady, and you get benefits.
Dentist Pay by Experience: Do Older Dentists Make the Most?
Let’s look closer at how experience changes how much a dentist makes in France.
New Dentists: Getting Started
Dr. Léa Martin just finished dental school. Her first job in Marseille pays about €50,000 a year. She is learning, but her pay isn’t the highest yet.
Mid-Career: Getting Comfortable
After 6 years, Dr. Martin has lots of patients. She’s well-known and thinks about opening her own clinic. Now she makes about €80,000 to €110,000 each year. Life is pretty good, but if she opens her own clinic, she’ll have more bills too.
Old Hand: The Top Level
Dr. Jacques Lefèvre in Paris has worked for 20 years and owns his own clinic. He takes in €300,000 a year. After paying for rent, staff, tools, and taxes, he keeps about €150,000. That’s way above the average worker in France!
Want a simple owner pay chart? Here it is:
| Experience | Net Income (Private, €) | After Bills, Before Personal Taxes |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Out | 50,000 – 70,000 | Just beginning! |
| Settled | 80,000 – 150,000 | Busy and steady |
| Top Dentist | 150,000 – 300,000+ | Not many, but it happens |
Do Specialists Like Orthodontists Make More Money?
The short answer? Yes, a lot more!
Here’s a look at dentist pay for different jobs:
| Special Job | Average Gross Pay (€) | Why So Much? |
|---|---|---|
| General Dentist | 80,000 – 150,000 | Fixing all teeth problems |
| Orthodontist | 120,000 – 250,000+ | Braces and straightening teeth |
| Oral Surgeon | 150,000 – 300,000+ | Complex surgeries |
| Periodontist | 100,000 – 200,000 | Gum problems |
| Endodontist | 90,000 – 180,000 | Root canals |
| Kids’ Dentist | 70,000 – 140,000 | Little patients |
Dentists with extra training—like those who work with special dental ceramics labs or do implants—often earn more, because their work is harder and more needed.
Does Where You Work Matter? Dentist Pay by Area
Where you work changes your pay by thousands of euros each year.
| Place | Mid-Career Gross Pay (€) | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Paris & Île-de-France | 95,000 – 160,000 | Most costly area |
| Big Cities (Lyon, Marseille) | 85,000 – 140,000 | Lots of patients |
| Medium Cities | 70,000 – 120,000 | Costs and patients about equal |
| Countryside | 60,000 – 110,000 | Less cost, sometimes extra pay from government |
In busy cities, more people means more patients. But in small towns, dentists can find loyal patients and less competition. French health leaders sometimes give bonuses for dentists who move to places that need them.
How Much Do Dentists Actually Keep?
Big numbers look nice, but that isn’t always what the dentist takes home. There are some big bills and taxes.
What Are the Bills and Taxes?
- Social Charges: Dentists pay into the French system for healthcare, retirement, and more. It can be 20-25% of pay.
- Income Taxes: Depends how much you make and your life situation.
- Work Expenses: If you run your own clinic, you pay for helpers, rent, new chairs, machines, insurance, and more.
For example: If a dentist makes €120,000, they might lose €30,000 for social charges, €20,000 for taxes, and €30,000 for workplace costs. This can leave them with €40,000 to €50,000 for themselves.
Good News About Bills
Some of these costs—like buying new machines from a digital dental lab—help make your work better and can bring in more patients.
Is Life Better for Dentists in Paris or the Countryside?
It’s tempting to pick places with the highest pay, but big cities aren’t always best.
Costs vs. Dentist Pay
Paris is shiny, but it’s super expensive. Even with higher pay, things like rent, trains, and food cost a lot. In small towns, dentists may earn a bit less, but daily costs are much lower.
| Area | Dentist Net Pay (€) | Cost to Live (€) | Possible Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | 5,000/month | 3,000/month | 2,000/month |
| Small Town | 3,500/month | 1,500/month | 2,000/month |
A smart dentist can save just as much—or even more—by picking a place with lower costs!
Dentist Story
Dr. Françoise Girard works in Brittany. She says, “Patients here stay with me and rent is cheap. I don’t get Paris pay, but I also don’t sit in traffic. I like it here.” For her, a quiet life wins.
What’s It Like to Own Your Practice?
Dream about being the boss? Running your own practice is tough to start, but can really pay off.
THE PROBLEM
Many young dentists feel stuck making less money at first jobs. They want more pay and freedom.
THE DIFFICULTY
But opening a clinic isn’t easy. It takes some money, hard work, and business know-how. Some years you have fewer patients, or machines break and costs go up.
THE GOOD NEWS
Dentists who run their own clinic can make more, especially if they offer things like crowns or dentures and work with a good crown and bridge lab. You’re in charge and can make your own plan. When it works, you keep a lot more money and control your work.
What If I Don’t Want to Own?
Some dentists prefer to work as helpers in someone else’s clinic. There’s less chance to lose money, steady pay, and not much paperwork. A good choice for dentists who only want to focus on teeth!
How Do You Become a Dentist in France?
Becoming a dentist in France isn’t quick. It takes at least six years of school.
Steps to Be a Dentist
Students don’t earn much, and early work pays less, but after a few years things get much better.
Is It Worth It?
Some students worry: “Is all this school worth it?” In France, dentists make more than most jobs, and even those just starting out have good chances.
Is Dentistry a Good Job in France?
Dentistry in France has lots of good points and a few tough ones. Here’s the truth:
THE PROBLEM
Some worry dentists don’t make enough, get too much stress, or are stuck doing paperwork.
THE STRUGGLE
Dentists do have to balance looking after patients, running a business, and dealing with changing health rules. Costs keep going up and it’s busy work.
THE SOLUTION
But pay is good—especially if you own a practice or learn a specialist skill. France’s dentist workforce is getting older, so new dentists will be wanted more and more. If you want control, working with good tools and china dental lab partners can help you do better work and earn more.
Questions People Ask A Lot
Which dentist job in France pays the most?
Oral surgeons top the list, then orthodontists.
Do dentists make more than other jobs in France?
Yes! Dentist pay is higher than most medical and non-medical jobs.
What taxes and bills lower dentist pay?
Dentists pay income taxes, social charges, and workplace bills.
Can foreign dentists work in France?
Yes—if you get your training checked and can speak French.
Is it hard to become a dentist in France?
School is long and tough, but job chances and pay are worth it.
Summary: What’s Most Important to Remember?
- Dentist pay in France is high, especially for those with experience or special skills.
- Where you work and who you work for matters. Big cities pay more, but so does running your own clinic if you can handle it.
- Special jobs pay more. Extra training like orthodontics or surgery boosts pay.
- Big bills eat into earnings, but smart choices help you keep more.
- Dentist jobs are in demand. More retirements mean new jobs, especially away from big cities.
- A good support team, like a strong dental lab, can help dentists do a better job and earn more.
If you want to be a dentist in France, plan it out—think about where you want to live, what you might focus on, and whether you want to be your own boss or join a bigger team. It’s a long road, but it can lead to a really good life.
