How much does a starting out associate make?

[prettymean]

Hey folks I have a rather sobering question to ask, how much does a starting dentist make who is just a lowly associate? This is important because considering the kind of loan I will borrow as well as the expenses of starting on life will both take toll on the financial well-being of anyone.

I think this is an important question that we should know.

Thank you

 

[yosemitesam]

I thought we already established that it was around $75-100 K / year. And sadly, repeated posting will NOT increase this amount.

Of course, some of us are gonna get lucky and make, like, a gazillion dollars. But it's prolly not a good idea to plan on making the huge money - be conservative with your estimates and you won't be disappointed or get into financial trouble. 🙂

 

[Richard Lechner]

70k to 100k the first year is accurate, if you move away from the NYC area you can make much more much sooner because of too many Dentists in area. Two years out, (without your father being a dentist) you can make 150k to 180k if you work hard and quick. This is my experiance , whats yours? Richard LechnerDDS (2000)

 

[dudelove]

The average dental practice does not produce 600k a year. So in order for an associate to take home 200k would mean that they are producing 600k on top of what the owner is producing(I.E. standard 30-35% of collections). It is possible, but not probable. It all depends on your speed, area, fees, how much the owner dentist is willing to give you and ultimately your skill in getting patients to go with treatment. At one point I was working for someone 2 days a week and because of the area and the clientelle, I was taking home more than $1,000 a day. It all depends...Don't be discouraged...Your first couple of years are a break in period. 70k is not bad for just a starting out. Learn and become a good listenener, communicator and clinician. You will eventually earn what you deserve via the market economy. If you end up being a hack dentist and can't communicate with your patients, I can guarantee that you won't be making the big bucks.

 

[mcataz]

Location means everything. The more saturated an area the less you will earn as an associate. I have researched this topic in depth. The range is probably 60-200K with most averaging between 100-120K.

Your dental school does play a role in this as well. Some schools are known for having great alumni networks in addition to the reputation for producing dentists with very good hand skills. It does make a difference.

 

[Richard Lechner]

If your pretty good and work hard, first year 75 to 100k second year 100k to 150k third year as an associate 150 to 170k. Im three years out and this is my experiance. I dont think associates can get much beyond 175k working 40 hours per week does anybody out there agree or disagree I would like to know. I owe over 300k in school loans (interest is a bitch, especially when it grows through a residency that pays 30k) and even at the high end of associates pay it takes a real wallop out of a paycheck! Richard Lechner DDS

 

[Jone]

hey richard lechner, are you a GP or a specialist? your salary seems to be at the top of the curve if you are a GP.

anyways, richard or anyone else who is already in the field... is it possible to associate for your whole career? or will dentists shy away from hiring you if you happen to be an old and experienced dentist who has no desire to buy a practice?

 

[Richard Lechner]

Joan or Jone, I am a general DDS who owes a lot of money and got away from NYC where the salaries are very low compared to the rest of the country. I also work very hard. Richard

 

[logistical99]

You mentioned that salaries are relatively low in the nyc area. How low are these salaries? Any numerical figures you can share?

You are correct in that the population of dentists is proportionally higher in nyc than elsewhere, namely the suburban areas.

I beg your pardon if my remarks appear amateurish but don't large cities have relatively larger and more diverse patient pools? Columbia and NYU, both nyc dental schools in a region of high dentist to population ratio, have nearly half a million patient visits / yr combined, and this is even greater than the annual patients/yr experienced by 10+ 'regular' dental schools altogether.

At schools like SUNY Stony Brook and Buffalo ( both in suburban areas ), however, I hear that they don't usually receive as much patients as they want.

Hence, I don't quite comprehend how suburban dentists make more than urban ones. Am I missing something here?

 

[mcataz]

The dentist I work for has been out of school for 3 years. He earned 140K his first year. He didn't work that hard. (about 35 hours per week). He earned 165K his second year and worked the same hours. Yes, he is a good dentist, but he and many of his classmates are earning around the 120K mark. He is a GP. I should mention that he attended UOP. And he said that he learned a lot at UOP that other dentists would be more comfortable referring out.