Written By Miranda Marquit
Updated on February 7, 2024
Jobs in healthcare-related fields can often come with competitive salaries, and this includes dental care. Depending on your specialty, dentistry can be one of the highest-paying careers available.
The median annual salary for general dentists in May 2021 in the United States is $163,220, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, by choosing from one of the highest-paid dental specialty career options, you might earn more than that.
Most dentists must obtain a dental degree (DDS or DMD) after finishing a bachelor’s program. This process can take three years, on top of the four years of undergraduate toward a bachelor’s degree.
If you decide on a dental specialty, you typically need at least another two to four years of training. Below is a list of the 10 highest-paid dental specialties, using data from the 2021 ADA Practice Report, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Economic Research Institute, Zip Recruiter, and Glassdoor.
Keep in mind that how much you make depends on your location, as well as whether you own your practice. The highest-paid dental specialists have their own practice.
10. Dental public health
Average annual income: $148,882
If you’re interested in working in the public sector, promoting dental and oral health, you can work within dental public health, usually for a public health agency or nonprofit. You might need to get a master’s degree or doctorate to work in this capacity, although the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) says the average program is 14 months, following receiving your dental degree.
These dental professionals have the least amount of additional training. For those who have a dental degree, it’s also possible to apply for a 12-month dental public health residency program with the Centers for Disease Control.
This career path offers potential access to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). If you work for a government organization or a non-profit, you could potentially have your loans forgiven.
9. Pediatric dentistry, private practice
Average annual income: $199,920
Private practice pediatric dentistry ranks fifth on the list of highest-paid dental specialties. Pediatric dentists specialize in helping children take care of their teeth and making them feel at ease. Training programs take another 24 to 36 months beyond dental school.
8. Periodontics, private practice
Average annual income: $200,580
Even though we think of dental specialties as dealing directly with teeth, periodontists actually focus on what’s around the teeth — especially the gums and bones beneath the teeth. The idea is to support the health of the systems surrounding the teeth so that the overall ecosystem is healthier for teeth. They can also repair dental implants. Beyond dental school, those in this specialty can expect to spend an extra 35 months on education.
7. Prosthodontics
Average annual income: $225,023
Prosthodontics is about figuring out how to improve the function of the mouth. In many cases, it has to do with replacing missing teeth and solving other problems related to crowns, dentures, implants, bridges and other items. These are sometimes called dental prosthetics.
Prosthodontists can also diagnose and treat other disorders related to the jaw and teeth. In order to complete this specialty, it usually takes an additional 36 months, on top of receiving a dental degree.
6. Oral and maxillofacial radiology
Average annual income: $234,990
This dental specialty focuses on using images from x-rays, CAT scans and other machines to identify and diagnose diseases and other issues related to oral health and the teeth. Understanding how imaging works, and how to read images, is very important to this specialty. Depending on the career path you choose, it’s possible to complete a certificate program in 2.5 years, or you might consider a master’s degree with a three-year program. In general, this training comes after receiving a doctorate.
5. Oral and maxillofacial pathology
Average annual income: $242,683
This dental specialty focuses on the course of diseases that affect the oral and maxillofacial region. It includes diagnosis, as well as the treatment of these diseases. This is a research-intensive specialty and requires some knowledge of reading images and using technology. Advanced education beyond a dental degree takes about 37 additional months.
4. Dental anesthesiology
Average annual income: $246,617
A dental anesthesiologist helps patients feel more comfortable when visiting the dentist by putting them to sleep during dental procedures. Anesthesiologists can offer their services in dental offices, as well as in surgery centers where advanced dental procedures are taking place.
After earning a DDS or DMD, it’s possible to continue education for three more years to practice in this dental specialty.
Related: Disability Insurance for Dental Anesthesiologists: Costs and Benefits
3. Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, private practice
Average annual income: $249,410
When you get braces or go through some other procedure to correct the appearance and placement of your teeth, you usually go to an orthodontist. This dental specialty focuses mostly on correcting the teeth so that they look more natural in the mouth.
In addition to earning a dental degree, you need to complete a specialty program that takes between 24 and 36 months.
2. Endodontics, private practice
Average annual income: $291,750
Another highest-paid dental specialty, endodontic dentists focus on helping people retain their natural teeth. For those who don’t want their teeth pulled, seeing this type of specialist can be helpful.
Endodontists specialize in procedures like root canals and pulp therapy to repair teeth and manage different therapies designed to avoid implants and dentures. The average length of an endodontic specialty program is 26 months beyond dental school.
1. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, private practice
Average annual income: $323,700
For those willing to go through the additional training, this is the highest-paid dental specialty. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons use surgery to solve advanced issues, such as cleft palate, oral cancers and facial injuries. You need an additional four to six years of training in addition to a dental degree. In some cases, you can get an M.D. on top of the dental degree, including going through residency.
Whether you’re considering a career path in dentistry or already practice general dentistry but are looking to specialize, these 10 areas of the dental industry are a good starting point. Your education will unlock six figures of annual earning potential as well as specialized financial products like the dentist mortgage loan.
And if you are in the market for a practice loan to grow your income or a student loan refinance to lower your interest costs on your educational debt, check out the resources below.
Practice Loan Quote Form
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