Dentists

Beginning dentists, faced with the expense of buying equipment and the problem of establishing a practice, generally earn enough to cover expenses and little more. However, income rises rapidly as the dentist's practice becomes established. According to the American Dental Association, in 2023, the average net income of dentists who owned their own general practice was $218,710 a year. Salaried dentists (who typically earn less than those in their own private practice) had median annual incomes of $166,300 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Some dentists earned less than $80,820. Fifty percent of general, salaried dentists earned between $123,670 and $218,030. Dental specialists earn higher salaries. For example, Zippia.com reports that prosthodontists earned salaries that ranged from $127,000 to $419,000 in 2024. Dentists' earnings are lower during economic downturns, when people tend to postpone dental treatment except for emergencies.

Dentists who are salaried employees receive benefits such as health insurance, paid vacation and sick days, and a pension plan. Those who are self employed must provide their own benefits.