What can a graduate expect as a starting salary?

[Maybe.a.dentist]

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I hear salaries that are all over the place. I just interviewed at one school and they said you should expect to start at $90,000, this sounds too low, how the hell would anyone pay back their loans (the cheapest school I even applied to has a total COA of $350,000)? Yet on job listing sites I see listings with supposedly guaranteed pay of $220,000, is this real or is there something I'm missing? I feel $90,000 will leave me struggling for decades but part of me thinks guaranteed $220,000 is too good to be true right out the gate as an associate. Can someone set me straight as to what is realistic?

 

[Cold Front]

The daily ranges I have seen, $400-600 per day for a new grad. Annually, $100k-$150k. It really depends where you work, and who you work for. The more remote an area is, the higher the starting salary.

 

[Screwtape]

Huge range out there. I agree with poster above. $100-150k annually is a realistic range in most areas for full time. Most of my classmate's offers are in the $120-140k range. But I'm in the Midwest.

 

[toothexplore]

I'm at 140k guaranteed first year, then 29% production. You can expect 120-140 generally with 30% production afterward

 

[JakeSill]

I'm at 140k guaranteed first year, then 29% production. You can expect 120-140 generally with 30% production afterward

Does 29% production mean they will pay you more on top of the 140k?

 

[distressstudent]

I'm at 140k guaranteed first year, then 29% production. You can expect 120-140 generally with 30% production afterward

Who covers the lab fees?

 

[Screwtape]

Does 29% production mean they will pay you more on top of the 140k?

Yes and no. He's guaranteed $140k, he could make more if his production percentage is higher than the daily minimum or however they do it.

 

[Andeve33]

I don't think that you have to expect a high one, i remember when i started it was all about experience and so on... so maybe after some time...

 

[Localnative]

still sounds like it still sucks
after your bills and those whopping loan payments, u can expect to make around minimum wage like Andy at the Arbys counter.

 

[Screwtape]

still sounds like it still sucks
after your bills and those whopping loan payments, u can expect to make around minimum wage like Andy at the Arbys counter.

If I chose to live on minimum wage I would have my loans paid off in 4ish years. And then by the time I'm 30 I'd be doing much better than Andy... But yes, paying loans sucks. But comparing it to working at Arby's in the long-term is ludicrous. Disclaimer: D4 coming out with about $250k in debt.

 

[cacazor]

If I chose to live on minimum wage I would have my loans paid off in 4ish years. And then by the time I'm 30 I'd be doing much better than Andy... But yes, paying loans sucks. But comparing it to working at Arby's in the long-term is ludicrous. Disclaimer: D4 coming out with about $250k in debt.

To be fair, Andy at Arby's networth will be higher than yours at age 30 if he worked at Arby's full-time straight out of HS

 

[Screwtape]

To be fair, Andy at Arby's networth will be higher than yours at age 30 if he worked at Arby's full-time straight out of HS

Emphasis on the word long-term.

 

[schmoob]

If I chose to live on minimum wage I would have my loans paid off in 4ish years. And then by the time I'm 30 I'd be doing much better than Andy... But yes, paying loans sucks. But comparing it to working at Arby's in the long-term is ludicrous. Disclaimer: D4 coming out with about $250k in debt.

$250K isn't too bad. It's alot of money, but relative to other schools it's pretty good nowadays...

 

[Michael_Scott]

The daily ranges I have seen, $400-600 per day for a new grad. Annually, $100k-$150k. It really depends where you work, and who you work for. The more remote an area is, the higher the starting salary.

OP, this is right on point.

 

[Localnative]

If I chose to live on minimum wage I would have my loans paid off in 4ish years. And then by the time I'm 30 I'd be doing much better than Andy... But yes, paying loans sucks. But comparing it to working at Arby's in the long-term is ludicrous. Disclaimer: D4 coming out with about $250k in debt.

Well papi
I personally KNOW Andy. With my medical and dental school loans, he's cleanin' house compared to me. And I've been in the workforce for several years.
Plus he gets all the free spicy curly fries he can stomach. Now thats a rich man.

 

[Screwtape]

Well papi
I personally KNOW Andy. With my medical and dental school loans, he's cleanin' house compared to me. And I've been in the workforce for several years.
Plus he gets all the free spicy curly fries he can stomach. Now thats a rich man.

You have persuaded me. Will be dropping out tomorrow and sending my application to Arby's! AMA in a couple of years everyone!

 

[Michael_Scott]

Well papi
I personally KNOW Andy. With my medical and dental school loans, he's cleanin' house compared to me. And I've been in the workforce for several years.
Plus he gets all the free spicy curly fries he can stomach. Now thats a rich man.

dude take a economics or business class...you have no financial sense and your arguments are so far fetched....that I can't even complete this sentence...

 

[Localnative]

dude take a economics or business class...you have no financial sense and your arguments are so far fetched....that I can't even complete this sentence...

"Michael Scott"

Just taking a light approach to this ongoing dilemma that pretty much effects everyone. the point has been beaten to death.

No point in getting personal... DB.

and by the way, unless that screenname is a pseudonym, you're not the brightest bulb if you're using your G-d given name.

🙂

 

[Michael_Scott]

"Michael Scott"

Just taking a light approach to this ongoing dilemma that pretty much effects everyone. the point has been beaten to death.

No point in getting personal... DB.

and by the way, unless that screenname is a pseudonym, you're not the brightest bulb if you're using your G-d given name.

🙂

well said, sometimes my evil twin takes over and types out things I don't mean to write..I am working through this problem.....it's been a tough road...Yes, I am Michael Scott, the worlds best boss..

 

[Cello]

Well papi
I personally KNOW Andy. With my medical and dental school loans, he's cleanin' house compared to me. And I've been in the workforce for several years.
Plus he gets all the free spicy curly fries he can stomach. Now thats a rich man.

Oh the irony in telling people not to get personal while calling them a DB.

Anyway, Andy is making $8/hour. A GD will be making $100/hour for most of their career. There is no comparison.

 

[Michael_Scott]

Oh the irony in telling people not to get personal while calling them a DB.

Anyway, Andy is making $8/hour. A GD will be making $100/hour for most of their career. There is no comparison.

I think he is Andy and just frustrated. lets give him a break in working through his serious issues.

 

[Localnative]

I think he is Andy and just frustrated. lets give him a break in working through his serious issues.

LOL. not gonna turn this into a pissing contest
Michael aren't you a predent? Not sure why you call yourself a "fellow"
Grow a set then come back in a few years, maybe we can talk.

 

[osahon7]

The daily ranges I have seen, $400-600 per day for a new grad. Annually, $100k-$150k. It really depends where you work, and who you work for. The more remote an area is, the higher the starting salary.

Can I make 350k as an Private Practice Oral surgeon in a state with less Dental specialist like Maine, RI,or New Hampshire?? Am Black, those this get to affect my practice? thanks

 

[Cold Front]

Can I make 350k as an Private Practice Oral surgeon in a state with less Dental specialist like Maine, RI,or New Hampshire?? Am Black, those this get to affect my practice? thanks

Sure. Success depends less on your diploma alone than it does on your personality and business skills as a dentist. It's how you engage yourself with your patients, your business and so on. The more rural area your practice is in, the less competition, the higher potential income.

I'm African American/Black, and my race or background never became a factor as a dentist or a businessman since I finished school 5-6 years ago. Insecurity will only hold you back, you can either use your background to your advantage or it becomes an obstacle you created for yourself.

 

[osahon7]

Sure. Success depends less on your diploma alone than it does on your personality and business skills as a dentist. It's how you engage yourself with your patients, your business and so on. The more rural area your practice is in, the less competition, the higher potential income.

I'm African American/Black, and my race or background never became a factor as a dentist or a businessman since I finished school 5-6 years ago. Insecurity will only hold you back, you can either use your background to your advantage or it becomes an obstacle you created for yourself.

Thanks sir for your words of wisdom!am inspired! God bless you Sir

 

[HookahLungs]

LOL. not gonna turn this into a pissing contest
Michael aren't you a predent? Not sure why you call yourself a "fellow"
Grow a set then come back in a few years, maybe we can talk.

This is ridiculous, did these people seriously miss the sarcasm in your first post?

 

[Localnative]

they were blind to it, i guess.
subject has been queried on myriad occasions, it is now a rotting corpse that just wants to be left alone.
peace bro.

 

[johnho771]

Started at 55k for gpr this year. Hope that goes up next year

 

[Pedodel]

Started at 55k for gpr this year. Hope that goes up next year

Hey people,,,,, how much you make,,,, depends sooooooo much on where you go......,if you have to live in a big city or in almost,anywhere in California or NYC then you are done.,,,,
Look and study on where you want to work. It can make the difference on making. 90K vs 200K, first year out of school. Then again 120k 300k , 2-3 year out.. Where,you,practice makes,such a big difference if,you,want to be wealthy.and. Comfortable.
Location is sooooooo big. Your own self confidence and ability is more important though.

 

[Redtwogreen]

I think one problem with this kind of question (though we would all love to know the real answer) is that most people are uncomfortable posting publicly how much they are earning, or how much they have earned. (for obvious reasons). If you decide to go the corporate route for your first year or so, they typically publish that information and like everyone else has said here, it depends a LOT on where you live. Cost of living should be a big factor as well as income that is being promised to you. Based on our experience in the midwest, $220k is not totally unrealistic, but I'd guess average nationwide would be closer to $150k. $90k is definitely low.

If you do go corporate or otherwise work for someone else, make sure you are looking at benefits and negotiate for them, especially ones that offer you some tax savings. (401k match, health insurance or health savings, etc). Thats one thing I wish we had done a better job of!

 

[drtoothyman]

You can find a corporate chain down the road from dschool and probably get 100k+ just about anywhere I would hope (again I know nothing about Cali and NY, but everywhere else). I remember hearing graduated classmates talk about first year out. most did probably 110-140. 4 or 5 of them did 150-250k. I'm sure there are a couple doing worse than those numbers too but noone is going to offer that up. Also, I don't keep in touch with hardly anyone this is just anecdotal but seems about standard to me. Just look around be prepared to move if you want the best offers.

 

[comatose]

dentist salaries are location specific. where there is a need for dentistry you will make more. where there is not as much of a need you will make less. increasing number of dentists will likely see wages drop in the future across the board.