Dentist Income

[mdub]

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This is from another thread, but it was a little out of place there. I'll re-post it here.

Other than it all being a big scam? My best answer is that you can get out in 4 years and make way more money right away. Then again, this is based on the "average" salaries of dentists, which may or may not be accurate. Dang.

Is there a good answer to what the average dentist income is?

According to the BLS, it's about $130,000: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos072.htm#earnings

Salary.com says it's about $118,000: http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/...de=&pagenumber=&zipcode=&metrocode=&x=62&y=16

The ADA says about $175,000 for an owner or part owner: http://www.ada.org/ada/prod/survey/faq.asp#income

This says it's about $100,000 to $120,000 for associates and $200,000 to $230,000 for owners: http://downloads.pennnet.com/pnet/surveys/de/0512de70-79.pdf

That's a big range. Does anything know what the "right" number is?

 

[buchey]

it probably truly does have a very wide range - depending on things like location (city vs country, states), years in practice, partnership/sole owner, number of patients, wealth of patient population... all those things.
But there is one thing i can say about all those numbers - i wont complain about a single one of them!

 

[mdub]

it probably truly does have a very wide range - depending on things like location (city vs country, states), years in practice, partnership/sole owner, number of patients, wealth of patient population... all those things.
But there is one thing i can say about all those numbers - i wont complain about a single one of them!

They all purport to be averages. It's very odd if the national average is $118,000 in one and $130,000 in another. It's odd when the ADA says owners make $175,000 and then another study says they make over $200,000 (that's 14% higher).

I don't think $118,000, as an average, is all that great given the huge expense and time involved. $175,000 or $200,000 is a pretty good deal.

 

[Rezdawg]

They all purport to be averages. It's very odd if the national average is $118,000 in one and $130,000 in another. It's odd when the ADA says owners make $175,000 and then another study says they make over $200,000 (that's 14% higher).

I don't think $118,000, as an average, is all that great given the huge expense and time involved. $175,000 or $200,000 is a pretty good deal.

Some of those numbers are for salaried workers only. A very few percentage of dentists are salaried...government jobs, academics, some new associates, etc...

Therefore, those numbers are not an accurate measure of what an average dentist makes on a yearly basis.

 

[mdub]

Some of those numbers are for salaried workers only. A very few percentage of dentists are salaried...government jobs, academics, some new associates, etc...

Therefore, those numbers are not an accurate measure of what an average dentist makes on a yearly basis.

What do you think about the difference between the ADA number for owners ($175,000) and the other figure (low $200,000 range)? Is there one that seems more realistic than the other?

 

[Rezdawg]

What do you think about the difference between the ADA number for owners ($175,000) and the other figure (low $200,000 range)? Is there one that seems more realistic than the other?

From what Ive seen from the dentists I know, the $200,000 range seems more realistic. Those numbers also seem correct for associates ($100,000-$120,000). If you work 4-5 days a week, you should be able to cross the $200,000 mark without much of a problem, in my opinion.

 

[TeethVader]

The amount of money will make is enough to live a very comfortable life and at the same time, spend a considerable amount of time with our families; that's why Dentistry is a beauty 🙂

 

[raZ10]

how much do omfs make on avg?

 

[hockeydentist]

Not how much you make,but how much you keep!

HD

 

[jpollei]

What do you think about the difference between the ADA number for owners ($175,000) and the other figure (low $200,000 range)? Is there one that seems more realistic than the other?

Keep in mind that the ADA often scales things down (as in the reported income level) for many reasons. Reality is the average private practice owner dentist income is probably well above that...even though $175K is what is reported. Reported does not always equal realized.

 

[chinchaz]

Keep in mind that the ADA often scales things down (as in the reported income level) for many reasons. Reality is the average private practice owner dentist income is probably well above that...even though $175K is what is reported. Reported does not always equal realized.

I would venture to say that the avg. dentist makes enough. There really is no minimum and if you think about it no maximum within reason.

 

[mdub]

Keep in mind that the ADA often scales things down (as in the reported income level) for many reasons.

What would they do that? Are they trying to avoid a public relations problem?

 

[Rezdawg]

What would they do that? Are they trying to avoid a public relations problem?

My guess would be that if they reported an income of 250,000, then some people might see a problem with that, like the government. That would probably give them reason to intervene and fix the "problem". As long as the numbers remain below the radar, then things will stay as they are.

Someone with better knowledge of the situation can correct me.

 

[AtkinDent]

I thought dentists (especially fresh graduates) are generally paid $40 - $50 per hour working for someone else per job adverstisements you would see in hotjobs, monster, .... If these figures are right, it will amount to the equivalent annual salaries of $83,200 - $104,000 on a 40 hour work week schedule. 😕

 

[golfmontpoker]

If you want money, with a less workload in school, great job security, paid by the hour, and EXTREMELY less competitive then dental school. Get your CRNA! A nurse anethesist. If u have a 4 year degree in a life science, just apply to an accelerated nurse program, many schools offer this. That takes anywhere from a year and a half to 2 years. After completing this, you now have 2 bachelors degrees. Then apply to the CRNA program that takes 2 years also, now you have 1 bachelors and a masters. Average income for a CRNA right outta school is about 130k a year. The need for a CRNA is extremely high as well. My moms friend has been doing it for 10 years now and is making almost 160k a year. Sure you are a nurse, but you are a wealthy nurse 😛

 

[Rezdawg]

If you want money, with a less workload in school, great job security, paid by the hour, and EXTREMELY less competitive then dental school. Get your CRNA! A nurse anethesist. If u have a 4 year degree in a life science, just apply to an accelerated nurse program, many schools offer this. That takes anywhere from a year and a half to 2 years. After completing this, you now have 2 bachelors degrees. Then apply to the CRNA program that takes 2 years also, now you have 1 bachelors and a masters. Average income for a CRNA right outta school is about 130k a year. The need for a CRNA is extremely high as well. My moms friend has been doing it for 10 years now and is making almost 160k a year. Sure you are a nurse, but you are a wealthy nurse 😛

Nursing lacks autonomy. Plus, room for growth is almost nonexistent...start out at 130K and hit 160K 10 years later? I'll just stick to dentistry.

 

[ItsGavinC]

I thought dentists (especially fresh graduates) are generally paid $40 - $50 per hour working for someone else per job adverstisements you would see in hotjobs, monster, .... If these figures are right, it will amount to the equivalent annual salaries of $83,200 - $104,000 on a 40 hour work week schedule. 😕

It depends on the location and the type of practice. Typical associateships are based on % of production, not an hourly wage (although some probably are).

 

[blaskos]

They all purport to be averages. It's very odd if the national average is $118,000 in one and $130,000 in another. It's odd when the ADA says owners make $175,000 and then another study says they make over $200,000 (that's 14% higher).

I don't think $118,000, as an average, is all that great given the huge expense and time involved. $175,000 or $200,000 is a pretty good deal.

Could the 118,000 be after taxes?

 

[mdub]

Could the 118,000 be after taxes?

No. There's no reason they'd be worrying about that. And their methodology doesn't mention after-tax rates.

My guess is that Salary.com comes up with weird numbers for small fields and small markets. For instance, they list starting lawyer salaries in some fairly small towns as being over $70,000. They say that about my hometown, and I'm certain there's not a single firm that pays that much.

 

[Jess_SB]

Nursing lacks autonomy. Plus, room for growth is almost nonexistent...start out at 130K and hit 160K 10 years later? I'll just stick to dentistry.

This is off-topic, but I just wanted to throw out there that there is indeed room for growth as a nurse as you work up the Hospital Admin system. My aunt started out as an RN and is now VP at a Medical Center and she is making bank (at least 300,000). This may be atypical, but for someone who's driven, there's definetly no limit.

That being said, she'd most likely be doing quite well as a dentist too. With good communication and business skills, dentistry really is limitless.

 

[coolraz]

This is off-topic, but I just wanted to throw out there that there is indeed room for growth as a nurse as you work up the Hospital Admin system. My aunt started out as an RN and is now VP at a Medical Center and she is making bank (at least 300,000). This may be atypical, but for someone who's driven, there's definetly no limit.

That being said, she'd most likely be doing quite well as a dentist too. With good communication and business skills, dentistry really is limitless.

You're very right, in any position, being very motivated and skilfull will turn out rewarding. However, since you are your own boss in dentistry, you inherently have much more room for expansion cus you can just keep getting bigger and bigger and just hirin associates or whatever. Well i'm sure you realize that anyway since you are doing denistry ; )

 

[Rezdawg]

This is off-topic, but I just wanted to throw out there that there is indeed room for growth as a nurse as you work up the Hospital Admin system. My aunt started out as an RN and is now VP at a Medical Center and she is making bank (at least 300,000). This may be atypical, but for someone who's driven, there's definetly no limit.

That being said, she'd most likely be doing quite well as a dentist too. With good communication and business skills, dentistry really is limitless.

You proved my point...she had to get away from nursing to achieve growth. As a nurse, you are limited.

 

[docious]

Kinda hard to put a salary range on dentists. It depends where you are, what you're doing, and how much you want to work.

Let's say that most dentists earn six-figures... where you fall in that range, largely depends on the individual

 

[donkeywhisperer]

Not how much you make,but how much you keep!

HD

It's not how much you keep, but how much you can cash out in 100's and roll around naked on.

 

[barev]

I think Dentists make like 40-60k starting and like banana dollars after 10 years of work. Go be a $$real estate or mortgage$$ broker if you want money, they make millions.

 

[DiDDyDeNt]

This is off-topic, but I just wanted to throw out there that there is indeed room for growth as a nurse as you work up the Hospital Admin system. My aunt started out as an RN and is now VP at a Medical Center and she is making bank (at least 300,000). This may be atypical, but for someone who's driven, there's definetly no limit.

That being said, she'd most likely be doing quite well as a dentist too. With good communication and business skills, dentistry really is limitless.

This is true. My best friends mother is also in hospital administration now after starting as a nurse, and for a long time made more than her husband, an orthodontist. I believe he now makes more than she does because his practice has really boomed in the last 5 years. The thing is there is a very limited numbers of those types of jobs available, so I too will stay with dentistry. 👍

 

[mostafa]

hey guys
i am so sad that you are interested in the issue of income
i think that all we need is working hard and leave the issue of money for our god ,he knows what is right and more benificial to us ....right !!!!!
just work hard and trust your god......

 

[mdub]

hey guys
i am so sad that you are interested in the issue of income
i think that all we need is working hard and leave the issue of money for our god ,he knows what is right and more benificial to us ....right !!!!!
just work hard and trust your god......

Watch out, Conan! You might not get Leno's spot in a few years after all.

 

[psiyung]

hey guys
i am so sad that you are interested in the issue of income
i think that all we need is working hard and leave the issue of money for our god ,he knows what is right and more benificial to us ....right !!!!!
just work hard and trust your god......

Go **** yourself. I haven't worked my tail off for 8 years to end up making as much as a teacher. So yeah, maybe for you money doesn't matter, but for the rest of America, it does. 😎

http://pewresearch.org/social/pack.php?PackID=1