How Much Do Dentists Make in America? Your Complete Salary Guide

Dentistry has always seemed like a good—and sometimes confusing—career choice. If you’re reading this, you probably have one big question on your mind: How much do dentists actually make in America? Maybe you’re thinking about starting dental school. Maybe you’re already working in the field and want to know if your pay is on track. Or maybe you’re just comparing careers for yourself or your family. No matter the reason, you’re not alone. It’s a smart question because the answer can help you plan your future.

In This Article

Here’s what we’ll talk about:

• The Overview: Average Dentist Salary in the US
• Dentist Salary Breakdown by Specialty
• Key Factors Influencing Dentist Salaries
• Dentist Salary Comparison: How Does it Stack Up?
• Future Outlook and Earning Potential for Dentists
• Is Becoming a Dentist Worth It Financially?
• Conclusion: The Lucrative (But Complex) World of Dental Earnings

The Overview: Average Dentist Salary in the US

Let’s not waste time—how much does the usual dentist make in America? According to numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and groups like the American Dental Association (ADA), the answer is: quite a lot, but it can be very different for each person.

Median Yearly Pay (2022-2023):

Dentists in the US usually see a middle income between $163,000 and $180,000 a year.

Average Yearly Pay:

A bit higher, between $190,000 and $220,000—since super high earners make the average go up.

Pay Range (10th-90th percentile):

Some new dentists may earn as little as $70,000. Really experienced dentists can make way over $300,000 each year, especially if they own a busy office.

Why such a big difference? These are a few main reasons:

• Your specialty (some pay a lot more)
• Where you work (big city or small town, which state)
• If you own your office or work for someone
• How long you’ve been a dentist

We’ll talk more about these below. But first, let’s break down salaries by specialty.

Dentist Salary Breakdown by Specialty

You may think all dentists make about the same. In reality, general dentists and specialists do very different work, which means their paychecks look different, too.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: The Top Earners

If you want to make the most money in dentistry, try oral and maxillofacial surgery. These dentists do hard surgeries—like pulling wisdom teeth, fixing broken jaws, or putting in dental implants. They get a middle salary of $300,000–$350,000+. High experience or owning an office can make this even more.

Orthodontists: Straightening Smiles, Good Pay

Orthodontists fix crooked teeth and jaws, helping people have healthy bites and pretty smiles. They often make $260,000 to $300,000, with some bringing in even more if they work in areas where braces are popular.

Endodontists: Root Canal Experts

Ever needed a root canal? You saw an endodontist. Their skill at saving teeth pays well: they usually earn $220,000–$260,000 each year.

Periodontists: Gum Doctors

These dentists take care of gums and the bone holding your teeth. Periodontists treat gum disease, place implants, and more, earning $200,000–$240,000 a year.

Prosthodontists: Tooth Replacements

Missing teeth and hard bite problems go to prosthodontists. They make things like dentures and implants, often using special tools and techniques from a dental ceramics lab. Their pay is usually $190,000 to $230,000.

Pediatric Dentists: Kids’ Tooth Doctors

Taking care of children’s teeth is different. Pediatric dentists make around $180,000–$220,000 each year, in both offices and hospitals.

General Dentists: Everyday Dental Care

Most dentists in the US are general dentists. They do cleanings, fillings, tooth pulls, and more. Their pay changes a lot based on where they work, how much experience they have, and if they own the office, but usually make $160,000 to $190,000 a year.

Here’s a quick table you can use:

Key Factors Influencing Dentist Salaries

But numbers alone don’t tell all the story. Dentist pay can be very different, and it’s not just about specialty. Here are the biggest things that can change your pay:

Experience Level: New vs. Experienced

New dentists—right out of school—make less than those who’ve worked longer. On average, you can expect:

• 0–2 years: $120,000–$150,000 per year
• 5–10 years: $170,000–$220,000
• 10+ years: $200,000–$300,000+ (owners or well-known associates can hit the high end)

The longer you work and the better you’re known, the more you’re usually paid.

Location: Where You Work Matters

Where you set up shop is just as important as what you do.

• Top-paying states: Delaware (~$280,000), Rhode Island (~$270,000), New Hampshire (~$250,000), Alaska (~$240,000), Massachusetts (~$230,000)
• Lower-paying places: Some southern or Midwestern states, or busy cities with lots of dentists or lower living costs

Even inside the same state, dentists in small towns sometimes make more (because they’re needed more), but city dentists may have more possible patients.

Practice Type: Owner, Employee, or Corporate

• If you own your own office you’ll get a bigger piece of what you make, but also pay for everything (workers, rent, gear), so profits are usually $200,000–$350,000 or more.
• Associate dentists (those working for someone else) have less risk and usually more steady pay: $120,000–$180,000.
• Corporate dentistry (DSOs): These jobs pay about $130,000–$190,000, with a chance for some bonus pay.
• Public health or teaching dentists: Steady work and good benefits, but pay is usually lower.

How Many Patients and What You Do

See more patients, do more special jobs (like implants or cosmetic work), or offer high-priced services, and your pay usually goes up, no matter where you work.

Dental School Debt & Office Costs

Let’s be honest—dentistry is expensive to learn. New dentists often owe $250,000 to $300,000 (or more) in school loans. That’s $2,000–$3,000 a month for many years—so new dentists don’t keep as much money at first.

Want to own your office? About 60–75% of what you make will go to running costs like workers, lab bills, rent, dental equipment, and insurance.

Dentist Salary Comparison: How Does it Stack Up?

Here’s how dentist pay compares—because if you’re thinking about the job, you want to know if you’re making the right move.

Dentists vs. Doctors

General dentists often make more than other health workers like pharmacists or nurses but less than most medical doctors, especially the types of doctors who do surgery. Many dentists do have better schedules and less stress, so “best” is about more than money.

Dentists vs. Other Dental Workers

Take a look how dentists compare to other dental jobs:

• Dental Hygienist: $75,000–$85,000 per year
• Dental Assistant: $40,000–$45,000 per year
• Dentist: $160,000+ per year

Work-Life Balance

Dentist pay is great, but a lot of dentists say the best thing is being able to help people, set your own hours, and make a work schedule you actually like—a real plus in health care.

Future Outlook and Earning Potential for Dentists

Is dentistry still a good pick for the future? In short, yes.

Job Growth

The BLS says dentist jobs will keep growing. With more older people, better insurance, and people caring more about their teeth, dentist jobs should go up 6% in the next 10 years—about the same as most jobs out there.

How to Earn More

Want to earn more? Try:

• Becoming a specialist: More school usually means more pay, especially for oral surgeons or orthodontists.
• Owning your own office: Risky, but can mean a lot more money for business-minded people.
• Learning new skills: Trying the newest tech (like digital x-rays, 3D printing, or digital dental lab work) or adding services, like clear aligners, can increase income.
• Moving: Picking a place with not many dentists often means better pay.

What Can Change Dentist Pay in the Future?

Pay might change if insurance companies cut what they pay, more dentists work for big companies, or too many dentists move to certain cities. Keeping up with changes is important for making good money.

Is Becoming a Dentist Worth It Financially?

Now for the big question: Is spending time (and money) on dental school really worth it?

The Costs

• School: 4 years of college, then 4 years of dental school = 8 years after high school
• Debt: $250,000–$300,000+ in loans is common
• Early career: You’ll earn less while paying back loans and building up a patient list. You might work long hours at first.

The Payoff

• Steady money: Good pay that holds strong over many years.
• Chance for more: If you specialize, own an office, or keep up with new trends, you can make even more.
• Work-life freedom: Dentists usually control their own schedules.
• Helping others: Making people feel better about their teeth can be just as rewarding as the money.

Stability and Lifestyle

Most dentists pay off their loans in 10–15 years and then start to enjoy more money, possible side income (if they own the office), and a good work-life balance. In short, yes—being a dentist is still a smart move for your bank account and your life.

Conclusion: The Lucrative (But Complex) World of Dental Earnings

Bottom line:

• Average paycheck: Dentists in America usually make $163,000–$220,000 a year.
• Specialists do even better: Oral surgeons and orthodontists often make over $300,000.
• Your pay changes based on: Experience, specialty, office type, how busy you are, and costs like school loans or running your business.
• It takes work: School is expensive and takes a long time, but the paycheck and lifestyle are usually worth it.
• It’s not just about cash: Dentists often feel happy with their work because they help people and have more control over their days.

What to do next:

• Thinking about being a dentist? Investigate—talk to real dentists, spend a day shadowing, and check what schools want.
• Already a dentist? See if your pay matches up, think about owning an office, specializing, or talking to a business expert.
• Still got questions? Visit the ADA or BLS websites, or ask for advice at a nearby dental school.

No matter where you’re at, don’t forget: a dental career offers good pay and the power to help people—and yourself.

Healthy Takeaway

Key Points:

• Dentist pay is strong, but changes a lot depending on specialty, region, and experience.
• Specialists (like oral surgeons and orthodontists) make the most.
• Owning an office can mean much higher pay—but also more things to pay for and more stress.
• Loan debt makes life harder at first, but most dentists work past it in time.
• Where and how you work really matters.
• Dentistry gives both good pay and a chance to make a difference.

Take Action:

If you’re serious about dentistry, do your homework—ask questions, talk to people with experience, get advice, and don’t let loan numbers scare you off. Smart money moves, learning more, and using new dental tech (like digital dentistry) can help you make even more money down the road.

Interested in tooth repairs? Learn more about dental ceramics, veneers, or full-arch solutions by talking to experts or your local dentist.

Want to spot dental problems early? Check this guide on dental issues.

Don’t forget:

Your future (and your smile) are worth your time. Ask questions, get help, and move forward at your own pace—you can do this!