How Much Do Dentists Make a Month? Your Simple Guide to Dental Pay

Ever wonder, “How much do dentists actually make a month?” Whether you’re thinking about becoming a dentist, planning your next move, or just curious, you’re definitely not alone. It’s a smart question—one that deserves a clear answer. After all, with all the years of school, the hard work, and the focus it takes, it’s normal to want to know what kind of pay comes next.

In This Article

• Unpacking a Dentist’s Monthly Pay
• The Average Dentist Salary: A Monthly Look
• Big Things That Change How Much Dentists Make Each Month
• What’s Left After Expenses?
• Dentist Pay Compared to Other Healthcare Jobs
• Is Dentistry a Good-Paying Job? What’s Happening Now
• Dental Pay Wrap-Up: What To Think About Next

Unpacking a Dentist’s Monthly Pay

Let’s get right to what you want to know: How much do dentists make a month? Most general dentists in the U.S. bring in about $13,000 to $17,000 a month before taxes and costs. But keep in mind, this is just a rough average. Dentist pay has a lot of ups and downs, and it’s important to look at the full story.

Why does this matter? The dental world attracts everyone—from high schoolers thinking about a job helping people, to adults changing careers. Since you spend years and a lot of money training, it’s good to know what paycheck you can hope for. So, let’s take it step by step.

The Average Dentist Salary: A Monthly Look

U.S. National Average for General Dentists

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)—which tracks pay across the U.S.—says the normal yearly pay for a general dentist is about $180,000 to $200,000. If you divide that by twelve, that’s about $15,000 to $16,667 a month before any taxes or costs.

But here’s the thing: this is an average. It doesn’t include money you pay in taxes, student loans, or the costs of running a business. New dentists and those in different types of dentistry often see very different numbers.

Why Do Salaries Change So Much?

Good question. Not all dentists bring home the same paycheck. Here are five big things that make a difference:

Let’s look at each of these more closely.

Big Things That Change How Much Dentists Make Each Month

1. Kind of Dentist You Are Matters

Dentists don’t all bring home the same money. Here’s how different dentist jobs compare (all numbers are before taxes):

So, to put it simply: Dentists who specialize usually make more money than general dentists. But you spend longer in school for this, and usually take on more student debt.

2. How Long You’ve Been a Dentist

Think of a dentist’s career like climbing a ladder: higher up the ladder, higher pay.

• Brand new dentists (0–2 years): $100,000–$150,000 a year ($8,333–$12,500/month). These dentists usually work for someone else at first and pay off student debt.
• Mid-career dentists (5–10 years): $170,000–$250,000 ($14,167–$20,833/month). Dentists start to get their own patients and sometimes own their own office.
• Experienced dentists (10+ years): $200,000–$300,000+ ($16,667–$25,000+/month). After building a name and regular patients, pay goes up—sometimes by a lot.

3. What Kind of Office You Work In

Things get a little more tricky here.

• Associate Dentists: Work for someone else’s practice. Make about $10,000–$15,000 a month. Paid a flat rate or a percent of the money they bring in.
• Practice Owners: They’re the boss. Money coming in can be very high, $16,667–$33,333+ a month, but they also pay all the bills and take the risks.
• Public Health/Government Dentists: More steady pay, usually $6,667–$12,500/month. Less stress, but lower pay and fewer perks.
• Corporate or Chain Dentists: Have set jobs, sometimes with better starting pay and benefits, but usually less control.

Easy way to picture it: Being a practice owner is like having your own diner. You might make a lot of cash, but after you pay your cooks, lights, food, and bills, your real profits might be less than you think. If you’re just an employee, you get paid to cook, then go home—no big worries, but a set paycheck.

4. Where You Work

Where you live and work changes things a lot.

• High-Paying States: Like Delaware, Alaska, Massachusetts, dentists might get $18,333–$23,333+ per month.
• Lower-Paying States: In West Virginia or Montana, average is $10,833–$14,167/month.
• City vs. Small Town: Sometimes small towns pay more to attract dentists, but big cities might have more people to see.
• Cost of Living: Don’t forget, making more in an expensive city isn’t always better—if your rent or groceries are super high.

5. How Busy You Are and How Well You Run Your Office

A dentist who sees lots of patients every day or does more complicated work (like crowns or implants) makes more. But it also means longer days and more stress. Good business skills help a lot! Practice owners who run things well, stay busy, and keep patients coming back usually take home more money.

If you want to know how certain types of dental work help bring in more money, working with dental labs that do special jobs like crowns can help a lot, especially in busy cities.

What’s Left After Expenses?

There’s more to the story than what shows on your pay stub. Here’s what most people don’t see.

1. Big Business Costs

Running a dental office is like running a small shop. Some of the main bills include:

• Staff Pay: For helpers, front desk, and hygienists.
• Office Rent or Loan Payments
• Dental Tools and Supplies
• Insurance: Both for lawsuits and health
• Marketing/Getting Patients: Websites, ads, and events
• Lab Fees: Using a top implant dental lab can improve what you offer, but isn’t free.

All together? These costs can take up 60% or more of your office earnings.

2. Student Loan Debt

Dental school is expensive. The average new dentist owes $250,000 or more. Loan payments can take away thousands each month, especially for new and specialist dentists.

3. Your Real Pay (Net Pay)

The pay numbers above are “gross” (before bills). Net pay is what’s left after all your bills and your personal taxes and loans. For many, especially office owners, the “headline” pay is much higher than what hits your bank account.

Tip: When you compare jobs, always look at net pay—not just gross. That’s the money you’ll really get to keep.

Dentist Pay Compared to Other Healthcare Jobs

Is dentist pay really that big?

Let’s look:

• Doctors (specialists): Like surgeons and radiologists, often make $250,000–$400,000+ a year.
• Family Doctors: Sometimes make the same or less as dentists ($150,000–$220,000).
• Dental Hygienists: Make $70,000–$90,000 a year ($5,833–$7,500/month).
• Dental Assistants: Usually $38,000–$44,000 a year ($3,167–$3,667/month).
• Nurse Practitioners/Physician Assistants: Around $100,000–$120,000 a year.

So, dentists usually make more than hygienists, assistants, and many family doctors, but less than many types of medical specialists.

Is Dentistry a Good-Paying Job? What’s Happening Now

1. Job Demand Is Strong

Dentists are still very needed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects dental jobs to keep growing, especially since older people are keeping their teeth longer than ever.

2. What’s Changing How Much Dentists Make

Here are some things to look out for:

• Technology: New digital tools and 3D dental labs are making offices run faster and doing more types of work.
• Chains and Big Companies Running Offices: These jobs can offer steady pay and benefits, but sometimes cap how much you can make compared to owning your own office.
• Dentistry Online: Some care is moving online.
• Insurance: When offices depend more on certain types of insurance, dentists may have to see more patients to keep up their income.
• Cosmetic Dental Work Is Up: Things like teeth whitening and veneers can really add to a dentist’s income.

Bottom line? Be ready to change and learn new things. Dentists who stay current and flexible usually make the most.

Dental Pay Wrap-Up: What To Think About Next

That’s a lot to take in! Here’s a fast rundown on what really decides a dentist’s monthly pay—and how to plan your future.

Main Takeaways

• Average U.S. dentist pay each month: $13,000–$17,000 before bills and taxes. Specialist dentists and experienced owners can make more.
• What matters: Your type of work, how long you’ve worked, what kind of office you’re in, where you live, how many patients you see, and business skills.
• Office owners: Can make the most, but face the most costs and risks.
• If you work for someone else or the government: More steady pay and less stress, but may not hit top earning levels.
• Student loans and business costs: Both eat into your pay, especially early on.
• Dentists usually make more than hygienists, assistants, and family doctors, but less than most medical specialists.*
• Things look good for the future: Plenty of demand and chances to grow.

Next Steps

• Thinking about being a dentist? Talk to real dentists, try shadowing at local offices, and ask about both the good and the tough parts.
• Worried about student loans? Check out government or public health repayment programs.
• Already a dentist or business owner? Find ways to run your office better or add new services, like working with new zirconia labs for advanced teeth repair.
• Comparing job options? Look at net pay and how happy people are—not just the big salary.

Want extra tips, real stories, or how-to guides about working as a dentist? Take a look at our dental practical guide for more on building your skills, picking the right job, and making smart money choices in the dental field.

Final Word: Your Money Future Starts With You

Dentistry isn’t just a way to make money—it’s about helping people, building your own business, and crafting your own path. But remember, the numbers only tell part of the story. Don’t just ask how much dentists make a month—think about the life you want: work-life balance, helping others, freedom, or being the boss.

If you’re serious about joining the world of dentistry (or improving your practice), keep exploring and talking to people in the field. Each dentist’s path—and paycheck—looks different. Your choices, determination, and attitude will shape how much you make—and how happy you are—for years ahead.

Stay curious. Keep learning. And always take care of your own smile—and your future!

References:

• American Dental Association (ADA)
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Dentists

This guide is just to help you learn and doesn’t replace career or money advice from a real expert. If you want advice just for you, talk to a dentist you trust, a career coach, or a money pro who helps people in health jobs.