Career profile · SOC 29-1021

Dentists, General

Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth.

Median salary
$172,790
per year
Growth outlook
Average
BLS 10-yr
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
AI exposure
2.6/10
automation risk

Salary distribution (US)

Real salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The p10–p90 spread tells you more than the median alone.

Bottom 10%
$79,060
25th %ile
$119,200
Median
$172,790
75th %ile
$239,200
Top 10%
$239,200

Top skills

Active Listening Critical Thinking Complex Problem Solving Speaking Judgment and Decision Making Service Orientation Social Perceptiveness Monitoring Active Learning Science

Knowledge you'll build

  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Biology
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Chemistry
  • English Language
  • Administration and Management
  • Psychology
  • Personnel and Human Resources

A day in the life

Your morning starts by reviewing X-rays and patient charts, then you head into the operatory for a mix of cleanings, fillings, crowns, and root canals—each procedure requiring steady hands and intense focus. Between patients you consult with hygienists, review treatment plans, and explain procedures to nervous patients in a way that puts them at ease. Afternoons might include a cosmetic case like veneers, an emergency extraction for a patient in pain, or a business meeting about practice management since many dentists own their own clinic. The blend of detailed clinical work, patient relationships, and entrepreneurship makes every day different.

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