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What are dentists
actually getting paid?

Real anonymous compensation data from dentists, specialists, and hygienists — sorted by role, specialty, state, and practice type. Employers always know. Now you do too.

View benchmarks ↓

Benchmark data

Sourced from public surveys and government data, and every number is cited so you can check it. Published benchmarks lag the market by a year or more, which is what the community database below is for.

💰Associate Dentist — Production %
25–35% of production
Standard associate range for general dentistry — private practice
30–38% of collections
Collections-based deals are common in DSOs and group practices
⚠️The 35%-of-WHAT trap
Production vs. collections can mean a 33–50% difference in your actual paycheck. A practice collecting 80¢ on the dollar means 35% of collections ≈ 28% of production. Always ask which base they mean — never accept an offer without knowing.
📅Associate Dentist — Daily Rates
$800–$1,100 / day
New grads (0–3 years out), general dentistry, private practice
$1,000–$1,400 / day
3–7 years experience, GP or limited specialty, multi-site
$1,200–$1,800 / day
7+ years, producing $60K+/month, or specialist GP
$1,500–$2,500+ / day
Oral surgeons, orthodontists, endodontists — specialist daily rates
🏢DSO vs. Private — What the data actually shows
DSO associates: $160K–$220K median annual
Higher floor, lower ceiling. DSOs offer W-2 stability, benefits packages, no production risk — but cap upside at high-producing associates.
Private practice associates: $130K–$280K range
Wide variance. Production-based deals can pay significantly more for high producers. Low producers may earn less than DSO floor. Compensation is directly tied to your productivity.
Benefits gap: ~$20K–$30K/yr
DSOs typically include health + dental + 401k + malpractice (worth $15–30K/yr). Private practice deals often exclude these — adjust your effective comparison accordingly.
🦷Dental Hygienist Compensation
$85,840 median annual (all US)
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2024. Includes part-time and full-time.
$55–$65/hr in high-cost metros
CA, NY, WA, MA — hygienists in San Francisco, LA, Seattle markets
$38–$52/hr in mid-cost markets
TX, FL, AZ, CO, IL — most major metros outside CA/NY
33–35% of hygiene production
Production-based hygienist comp is growing (solo private practices especially) — typical range 30–36%
🩺Dental Assistant Compensation
$46,540 median annual (all US)
Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024. DA roles vary widely — expanded-duty/EFDA commands 20–35% premium.
$22–$28/hr — standard DA
Most US markets. No expanded duties certificate.
Source: BLS OES 2024
$28–$38/hr — EFDA / expanded duty
Coronal polishing, impressions, sealants — state-licensed expanded functions. Premium reflects scope.
⚠️Contract Red Flags — Know before you sign
⚠️Non-compete clauses: 5–25 mile radius, 1–2 years typical
CA, ND, MN, OK have severely limited or banned non-competes. In other states they are enforceable. Understand your state's law before signing.
⚠️"Competitive" comp without a number = red flag
Any offer that doesn't name a production %, collections %, or daily rate is not a real offer. Always get it in writing — verbal agreements have no value in dental transitions.
Source: Dental Agora editorial — sourced from associate attorney consultations
Patient charts owned by employer, not you
Standard in employment — you have no right to contact patients when you leave. This matters for future buyout opportunities. Negotiate a right of first refusal to purchase if the practice ever sells.

Community Database

Community-submitted, anonymous, and unverified — not audited statistics · plus seeded survey data · filter by role, specialty, state
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