How Much Do Dentists Make in Los Angeles? A Simple 2024 Guide to Pay, What Changes It & Ways to Earn More

When you wonder, “How much do dentists make in Los Angeles?” you’re asking more than just about money. Sure, dentist pay can sound high, but there’s more to it—like business bills, living costs, school loans, and where you work. In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about dentist pay in Los Angeles. When you finish, you’ll know how much dentists get paid, what can change their wages, and smart steps to increase your own pay. Whether you want to work as a dentist, already do, or are just curious, this guide is full of real numbers, simple advice, and answers to your biggest questions.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Why Dentist Pay in L.A. Matters

If you’ve ever had a sore tooth, you know dentists are important. But if you picture wearing that white coat, you probably think, “Is it worth it for my wallet in a big city like Los Angeles?” Dentists get respect, good job safety, and decent pay, but life in Los Angeles costs a lot. Homes, rent, and even fast food cost more! So, how much do you need to live well? What can you expect to earn as you move along in dentistry? Let’s see why knowing about dentist money in L.A. is really about more than just a big number—it helps you make better life choices.

What Is the Usual Dentist Pay in Los Angeles?

Let’s start with the main question: What do dentists in L.A. get paid?

On average, a general dentist in Los Angeles gets between $180,000 and $250,000 each year. But this is only where it starts.

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that dentists in California usually get paid more than most others in the country. L.A. dentists can make 15-30% more than dentists in smaller places, since more people want dental work and there are lots of dentists.
• Websites like Salary.com or Glassdoor say about the same, and show that top dentists or those with their own office can make even more—sometimes past $350,000.

But remember: these are just averages. Some new dentists start out lower, and if you do extra schooling, you can make more. High costs, taxes, and student loans also affect what you really take home.

Why Does Pay Change So Much in L.A.?

You might think pay is a single number; really, it’s made up of many things:

Things that change dentist pay in Los Angeles:

• How long you’ve been working
• If you have special skills (like braces or surgery)
• What kind of place you work in (own practice, company, clinic, or school)
• Which part of the city you’re in
• How many hours you work and how many patients you see
• If you own the place
• Your business bills (rent, helpers, and tools)

For example, two dentists in L.A. could get very different pay, even if they both work full-time. Maybe one runs an office in Beverly Hills with big fees, and the other helps at a public health clinic. The difference is not just luck—it’s about choices and sometimes, taking risks.

Does Experience Help?

Yes—working longer as a dentist is one of the biggest ways to earn more. Here’s how it usually goes:

New Dentists (0-2 years)

If you just finished dental school, new grads in L.A. get between $120,000 and $180,000 a year. That might sound big at first. But new grads often have $290,000–$320,000 in school loans. Many start as helpers, earning a slice of what patients pay. The start can feel slow.

Mid-Career Dentists (3-9 years)

Once you have more skills, know people, and can do extra treatments, your pay goes up. This is often $180,000 to $250,000, and some with experience get bonuses or a chance to own part of the office.

Senior Dentists (10+ years)

If you own part, or all, of a practice or have worked a long time, pay can climb to $250,000 or more—even higher sometimes.

So yes, sticking with it, learning new things, and gaining business smarts can really bring in more money!

Does Special Training Mean Higher Pay?

General dentists make a solid living, but if you do extra training there is a chance to get paid even more.

Here’s why: Some dental training takes more school and tests, but lets dentists handle harder or more expensive stuff—like braces, root canals, or pulling teeth.

Let’s see the numbers:

Why do they get more? Extra-trained dentists often see harder cases and charge more. Also, fewer people study some of these jobs, so workers are harder to find and can ask for more. If you love a special field in teeth, this can give you more than just cash—you also become the one people go to for the most tricky problems.

Does Where You Work in L.A. Matter?

Yes. L.A. is huge, and not every area is equal when it comes to pay:

• Dentists in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, or downtown often have richer patients and can set bigger fees. Lots of people want new smiles, and those jobs pay well.
• In other parts, work might be busy, but you may have to set lower prices and there’s less money made for each job. Rent or tools may cost less, too, but that may not level things out.

Dr. Joe Dental, a well-known L.A. dentist, says, “You can do well anywhere, but being smart means finding the right match between what you charge and what you pay to run things.” So, where you work can help your pay—or squeeze it.

What Are the Main Places Dentists Work?

Not all dentist jobs are the same. Here are the main types:

Private Practice

Some dentists own the office or work for someone else in a regular clinic. Owners can earn a lot more—over $450,000 after costs—but also pay for bills like rent, tools, and helpers, and have to run everything.

If you want to own a practice, it helps to find good partners for supplies, like a trusted china dental lab for crowns and teeth-work. These labs can help keep your costs lower and can give you strong products patients like.

Company Dentistry & Dental Service Groups (DSOs)

Big companies or groups hire dentists for set pay and give benefits, and handle bills and staff. There’s less to stress about, but pay is often lower—most get $130,000 to $270,000.

Clinics & Colleges

Some dentists choose to teach (like at UCLA) or work in health clinics, getting less pay but steadier hours and better benefits. These jobs usually pay between $100,000 and $170,000.

No matter where you’re at, what you pay for bills or what benefits you get can change your real pay a lot.

What Does It Really Mean to “Make” a Lot of Money?

Here’s the catch: Not all you earn is money to spend. There are lots of bills, helpers, and big running costs.

Let’s see what cuts into your take-home money:

Overhead Costs

• The average dental office in L.A. uses up 60-75% of what it brings in to pay for bills.
• This means rent, supplies, tools, insurance, and helpers.

School Loans

• The new dentist in L.A. often owes over $300,000 in loans for school.
• Monthly payments can be $2,500 or more.

Taxes

• California taxes are high, and the U.S. takes more as you make more money.
• It’s smart to have a good tax helper.

Knowing the real difference between “gross” (all the money you make) and “net” (what you keep) is key for planning.

How Does Cost of Living Change Things?

Even though dentists earn more in Los Angeles, life here costs a lot—especially for houses and daily stuff.

• The usual house sells for over $800,000, and renting a nice place can be $3,000 or more every month.
• Food, gas, and insurance cost more here than in many parts of the country.
• The cost of living index is way over the US average, which means you need more money to have the same life you would get elsewhere.

Remember to also plan for work insurance, classes to keep your license, and yearly work fees.

Challenges and Good Things for L.A. Dentists

Challenges

Good Things

How Can You Raise Your Dentist Pay?

It’s not just working more. You need a plan! Here’s what smart L.A. dentists do to earn more:

• Get Extra Training: Learn things like braces, surgery, or implants with partnerships like a good implant dental lab.
• Own the Office: Running your own place means more control and bigger profit, but also more work and stress.
• Run Things Well: Hire a good team, get the word out, and don’t waste money.
• Keep Learning: Great dentists keep up with new treatments and try new tools.
• Meet Others: Join local dentist groups, meet people, and find helpers. Good chances come to people who connect.
• Make Patients Happy: Happy patients tell friends and keep coming back, growing your work without spending much extra.

Real Stories & A Pay Table

Let’s see some true stories!

Case Study 1:

Sarah just started as a general dentist. She works at a group office in Santa Monica and gets $150,000 a year plus health care. After taxes, loans, and rent, she keeps about $70,000.

Case Study 2:

Mike owns a practice in Beverly Hills and focuses on smiles and implants. He made $450,000 last year, but $250,000 went to pay for staff and bills. He still owes on his business loan.

Case Study 3:

Dr. Lee is an orthodontist with 8 years in L.A. and works in more than one office. She makes $300,000 a year and adds $50,000 by teaching at a university.

How it compares:

Numbers show pay before taxes and don’t subtract bills or loans.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Should I become a dentist in Los Angeles?

A: Yes, it can work well for some, but you need to plan for high bills, big loans, and the real world of owning your own business.

Q: How do I earn more as a dentist in L.A.?

A: Get extra skills, don’t stop learning, and think about owning your own practice.

Q: How much gets taken from my pay for taxes and running costs?

A: For private practice, up to 60-75% can go to costs and taxes. You need to have a good money plan.

Q: Where do I find support as a dentist?

A: Joining groups like the California Dental Association and learning from experienced dentists helps a lot.

To Sum Up: Main Things to Know

• Dentists in Los Angeles get paid more than lots of cities, but spend more too.
• Your pay depends on how long you work, your skills, and what kind of job you take.
• Owning the office can bring big rewards—but also bigger risks and more work.
• Overhead and taxes can lower what you really keep—be ready!
• Extra training, caring about patients, and good office habits help you earn more.
• Keep learning and partner with good dental labs to help your patients and your practice.

Dentistry in L.A. can be a fun, well-paid career—if you know what to expect.

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), California Data
• Salary.com, Glassdoor.com, Indeed.com
• Dr. Joe Dental, L.A. Dentist (2024 interview)
• California Dental Association, 2024
• Industry reports

For more help with dental work, see our dental practical guide.