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. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.
Dentists, General
SOC: 29-1021 O*NET: 29-1021.00
Median Salary
$172,790
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.1%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.
What does a Dentists, General do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$83,860
10th percentile
Early Career
$126,090
25th percentile
Median
$172,790
50th percentile
Experienced
$220,380
75th percentile
Top Earners
$0
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$83,860
25th
$126,090
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$172,790
Mean: $196,100
75th
$220,380
90th
$0
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans -$83,860 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $126,090 and $220,380
- •Salary spread is 54.6% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 113,490 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:129,800
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services95.8%
Offices of Dentists90%
Offices of Physicians3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.1%
Annual Openings:3,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)129,800
Current
2034 (Projected)135,200
+4.1%
+5,400
Employment Change
+4.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Dentists, General professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 48 locations
California
14,760 jobs$178,5401.11x
Florida
8,400 jobs$162,8701.16x
Texas
7,690 jobs$157,3700.75x
New York
7,460 jobs$164,0601.06x
Illinois
4,820 jobs$180,4201.08x
North Carolina
4,410 jobs$191,2801.22x
Michigan
3,920 jobs$177,0801.21x
Virginia
3,890 jobs$182,5701.30x
Georgia
3,260 jobs$195,8200.91x
Pennsylvania
3,210 jobs$168,7400.72x
Washington
3,100 jobs$197,9501.19x
Ohio
2,990 jobs$155,5700.73x
Arizona
2,930 jobs$206,6601.25x
New Jersey
2,710 jobs$159,8600.87x
Indiana
2,700 jobs$176,9901.15x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Judgment and Decision Making
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Monitoring
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Reading Comprehension
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Active Learning
46%
#10
Service Orientation
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Judgment and Decision Making
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Acupuncturists100%
5 shared skills
Nurse Anesthetists100%
5 shared skills
Pharmacy Technicians100%
5 shared skills
Photographers100%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Dentists, General
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
eClinicalWorks EHR software
🔥 Hot TechHenry Schein Dentrix
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Henry Schein Dentrix
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Planning & Development (4)Training & Development (1)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Operations & Execution (1)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, or other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Advise or instruct patients regarding preventive dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, or oral health care services.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development91% perform94%
5
Design, make, or fit prosthodontic appliances, such as space maintainers, bridges, or dentures, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for denturists or dental technicians.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Fill pulp chamber and canal with endodontic materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Analyze or evaluate dental needs to determine changes or trends in patterns of dental disease.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation76% perform84%
10
Treat exposure of pulp by pulp capping, removal of pulp from pulp chamber, or root canal, using dental instruments.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Dentists, General
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Dentists, General professionals typically have a IRS Holland code and highly value independence
IInvestigative
RRealistic
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Dentists, General
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.66
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.49
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.42
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.32
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.31
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.17
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Integrity
4.5
Dependability
4.4
Concern for Others
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Leadership
4.1
Cooperation
4.0
Persistence
4.0
Achievement/Effort
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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