It is all over the place. Also, you have to look at total compensation packages when evaluating jobs as well, which can vary from a paycheck only and them not even paying their end of the social security tax to some places that pay less but also give you paid time off, health insurance, retirement plans, CE reimbursements, etc.
Make sure you look at the total compensation package when evaluating jobs, because all those extras could be worth 20K+ to you depending on your situation and you wouldn't want to take a job as an independent contractor with company A (no benefits) that paid 5K more than company B which provides an additional 20K worth of benefits.
I know a lot of people that made a lot more than 150K their first year out, but I wonder if that is like the DAT scores on here where people don't talk about it unless they are doing well. Many of the corporate type of jobs offer packages like 10K-12K per month or 25% if production with some benefits. If you get something like a $600 per day guarantee with benefits and potential to make more based on production it is not a bad deal.
Some friend I know got 500/day guarantee and 33% colections and he averaged about 50K in collections a month, but no benefits.
Another person I know was offered 90K as a base with an opportunity to earn 40K in production bonuses and potential tax free loan repayment on top of that and benefits.
Again, it is all over the place but I would plan on making 120K per year with some benefits. There is more money to be made in dentistry but as a new grad still waiting on a license, DEA, DPS (in Texas), insurance credentials, etc and not having any real world experience you are not going to get the highest paying jobs out there. Just look at it as your 5th year of dental education, only you are not as broke anymore.
