Dentists, All Other Specialists: Salary, Career Path, and Outlook in 2025
The median annual salary for Dentists, All Other Specialists is $224,990, with a mean of $247,930 — roughly $108 per hour. The top 10% earn over $402,700, while the bottom 10% make $104,120 or less. These figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
This occupation covers dental specialists not classified elsewhere, such as oral pathologists, dental anesthesiologists, and orofacial pain specialists. It’s a small field — only 5,230 jobs nationally — but pay is among the highest in healthcare.
How much Dentists, All Other Specialists earn
Pay spans widely based on experience, region, and practice setting. The median, $224,990, is more than double the median for all dentists. The typical range runs from $104,120 at the 10th percentile to $402,700 at the 90th. Many specialists in private practice or high-demand metro areas earn near the top.
Hourly wages average $108, though most salaried specialists work full-time. Self-employed practitioners may see income swing with patient volume and overhead costs.
Pay by state
Texas leads at $286,510 average annual wage, followed by Oregon ($256,510), Illinois ($250,880), South Carolina ($246,770), and Arizona ($244,170). On the lower end, Ohio averages $192,050, Colorado $186,640, and Connecticut $126,410 — the lowest among states with sufficient data.
Wide state variation reflects cost of living, competition, and Medicaid/private insurance mix. Rural areas may offer higher pay to attract specialists, but data by nonmetropolitan area is limited for this small occupation.
How to become a Dentists, All Other Specialist
Becoming one requires a DDS or DMD from an accredited dental school (4 years), followed by a 2-4 year residency in a recognized specialty like oral pathology, dental anesthesiology, or orofacial pain. After residency, you must pass state licensing exams — usually a written (NBDE or INBDE) and a clinical exam — plus a specialty board exam for certification.
Some specialists also earn a PhD or master's for academic or research roles. Competition for residency slots is high; a strong dental school record and board scores help.
- Earn a bachelor's degree with pre-dental courses (biology, chemistry, physics).
- Graduate from an ADA-accredited dental school (4 years, DDS/DMD).
- Complete a CODA-accredited specialty residency (2-4 years).
- Pass the INBDE and a state clinical exam.
- Obtain state dental license and optional board certification.
Job outlook
Employment is projected to grow only 0.3% from 2024 to 2034 — much slower than the average for all occupations. That’s because the field is tiny and highly specialized; demand depends largely on referrals from general dentists and other specialists.
About 200 openings per year are expected, mostly due to retirement or replacement. Aspiring specialists should be prepared for a tight job market and consider geographic mobility. The BLS ranks this occupation as having “little or no change” in employment over the decade.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Dentists, All Other Specialists' include?
It covers dentists in specialties not separately listed — oral pathologists, dental anesthesiologists, orofacial pain specialists, and others. It excludes orthodontists, oral surgeons, and general dentists.
How do I find job openings for this occupation?
Use ADA CareerCenter, dental school networks, and state dental society job boards. Specialized recruiters in healthcare placements also list these roles.
Is it worth becoming a dental specialist given the slow growth?
Despite limited growth, the field offers very high pay. Success depends on networking, location, and niche demand. Most specialists secure work, but competition for top metro areas is stiff.
What's the difference between a DDS and DMD?
Both are equivalent degrees for dentists; the name varies by school. DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery, DMD for Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry. The training is identical.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Dentists, All Other Specialists data.