Many dentists choose to retrain in New York because of the high salary and variety of specialty options. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, dentists are among the top ten highest paid professions in America. Dental school graduates received an average salary of $143,850 in 2014, according to the website CareerPlanner
Dentist in New York is an exciting, rewarding and challenging career field. Dental school graduates have an excellent chance at finding a job within a year of graduation from dental school. The average starting salary for dentists in New York is $210,000.
Starting Salary For Dentist In New York Overview
If you’re looking to become a dentist in New York, you might be wondering how much you’ll be able to earn as a starting salary.
The average starting salary for a dentist in New York is $180,000 per year. However, this figure can vary based on the type of practice you work at, as well as whether or not you have any experience under your belt.
If you choose to become an orthodontist, your starting salary will be higher than if you became a pediatric dentist or a cosmetic dentist. In fact, orthodontists can earn upwards of $250,000 per year when they first start out! This can help offset the cost of tuition and other expenses needed for becoming licensed in this field (like continuing education courses).
Average Dentist Starting Salary
According to PayScale, entry-level dentists, or those with less than a year of experience, can expect a salary of about $120,608 on average, including tips, bonuses, and overtime pay. That is computed based on 155 salaries. Meanwhile, for general dentists, the entry-level wage is approximately $122,666 based on 36 salaries.
For dentists with experience, ranging from one to four years, the average compensation based on 538 salaries could reach about $129,921. That is approximately $800 more than general dentists with the same experience based on 136 salaries.
The more tenured dentists with a decade or two of experience could earn an average remuneration of $152,288 based on 224 salaries, while general dentists could get $143,184 on average based on 56 salaries.
Dentists with over two decades of experience could earn an average of $157,799, while general dentists’ compensation could amount to an average of $168,663, much closer to the BLS’ recorded median pay of $164,010 per year for dentists in 2020.
Highest and Lowest Dentist Salaries
According to the BLS (2021), $164,010 is the median annual wage for dentists in May 2020. The lowest 10% received less than $79,060 compensation, while the highest 10% gathered more than $208,000.
Some dentists operate their businesses. They often work alone or with a small staff. Other dentists have partners in their practice, while others work as associate dentists in already established dental practices. These different work setups could influence the income of dentists, not to mention their specialization and the location of their practice.
However, note that dentists’ salaries would vary according to their specialization and location.
Average Dentist Salary by Specialty
General dentists’ median annual wages in May 2020 are lower than the overall average at $158,000. Meanwhile, prosthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and orthodontists earn a median of $208,000. All other specialists receive $183,300. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021)
Dentists in the government sector receive a median annual wage of $178,680, while those in offices of dentists, outpatient care centers, and offices of physicians earn at least $10,000 less. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021)
Dental Practice Owner Salary
Dentists may go into business on their own or with business partners. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), half the private practice dentists work solo. By “solo,” ADA means working as the only dentist in a dental office. Such solo dentists made up 50% of dentists in 2019.
However, like in any business, dentists planning to venture into setting up their clinic must note that according to Dental Clinic Manual, the cost of building a new dental clinic or renovating an existing space to suit a dental clinic may range from $100 to $200 (or more) per square foot. That does not include equipment and does not take into consideration location premium yet.
Meanwhile, a 2020 ADA report shows the average gross billings per private dental practice in 2019 could reach about $742,490 per general practice dentist or owner. As for specialists, it could be an approximate average of $1,059,890 gross billings. The median net income for dentists or owners may reach some $190,000 and about $285,000 for specialists.
A successfully operated dental clinic could generate an income higher than the average wage of dentists. Nevertheless, it is always best to consider all costs and risks before deciding to proceed with such a venture.
Highest and Lowest Average Dentist Salary by State
Salaries of dentists vary according to location. There are states where salaries are much higher. Based on BLS data, here are the states with the highest and lowest average dentist salaries grouped according to specialization.
General Dentist
As defined by BLS, general dentists are those who examine and diagnose the dental conditions of patients. They treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of the teeth and gums. They may also treat diseases of the teeth’s nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and preservation of teeth. They may also fit dental appliances or give preventive care. This category does not include oral and maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, prosthodontists, and all other specialists.
The national estimate on the annual mean wage for general dentists is $180,830 or $86.94 per hour. Rhode Island offers the highest annual mean wage at $258,920 or $124 per hour. Here is a shortlist of states with the highest wages for dentists.
- Rhode Island: $258,920/year or $124/hour
- Vermont: $254,190/year or $122/hour
- Alaska: $242,850/year or $117/hour
- Maine: $236,060/year or $113/hour
- New Hampshire: $222,430 or $107/hour
Meanwhile, BLS records West Virginia as having the lowest annual mean wage for dentists. It amounts to $127,950 per year or $62 per hour. Here is a list of the five states with relatively lower salaries for dentists.
- Utah: $147,730/year or $71/hour
- Louisiana: $145,980/year or $70/hour
- Wyoming: $133,750/year or $64/hour
- Kentucky: $128,850/year or $62/hour
- West Virginia: $127,950/year or $62/hour
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dental specialists performing surgery and other related procedures on hard and soft tissues found in the oral and maxillofacial regions to treat diseases, injuries, or defects. Also, they may diagnose problems related to the oral and maxillofacial regions and perform surgeries for improved function or appearance.
The national estimate for oral and maxillofacial surgeons in terms of annual mean wages is $237,570 or $114.21 per hour. Minnesota offers the highest annual mean wage at $278,280 per year or $134 per hour. The five states with the highest salaries for oral and maxillofacial surgeons are as follows.
- Minnesota: $278,280/year or $134/hour
- Ohio: $270,090/year or $130/hour
- South Dakota: $267,480 or $129/hour
- Maryland: $260,690/year or $125/hour
- Pennsylvania: $241,060/year or $116/hour
Meanwhile, South Carolina has the lowest annual mean wage for oral and maxillofacial surgeons at $80,920. The mean hourly wage is $39. Here are other states with relatively lower annual mean wages for this specialization.
- New York: $227,640/year or $109/hour
- California: $204,920/year or $99/hour
- Texas: $184,300/year or $89/hour
- South Carolina: $80,920/year or $39/hour
Orthodontists
Orthodontists examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. They design and fabricate appliances that would help realign teeth and jaws, thus producing and maintaining normal function while also improving appearance.
The national annual mean wage estimate for orthodontists is $230,830 or $110.98 per hour. Oklahoma has the highest annual mean wage for orthodontists at $286,050. That is about a $138 hourly rate. Listed below are the states that have the highest mean wages for orthodontists.
- Oklahoma: $286,050/year or $138/hour
- Virginia: $279,710/year or $134/hour
- Washington: $277,050/year or $133/hour
- North Carolina: $271,270/year or $130/hour
- Minnesota: $268,480/year or $129/hour
As for the lowest annual mean wage for orthodontists, Illinois gives about $180,820 per year or $87 per hour. Here are the states with the lowest mean salaries for orthodontists.
- Utah: $210,190/year or $101/hour
- Michigan: $208,540/year or $100/hour
- New York: $199,930/year or $96/hour
- California: $197,710/year or $95/hour
- Illinois: $180,820/year or $87/hour
Prosthodontists
Prosthodontists diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate patients with clinical conditions associated with teeth, oral and maxillofacial tissues, or the jaw. They also design and fit prostheses to maintain oral function. They also improve health and appearance for patients in doing so.
The national estimate of annual mean wages for prosthodontists is $214,870 or $103.30 per hour.
There is limited data available for this specialization as per the BLS (2020e). The two states in the record—Virginia and Wisconsin—offer $ 190,790 and $249,920 annual mean wages, respectively. The hourly rates are $91.73 and $120.15, respectively.
