Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Dentists must be licensed in the state in which they work. Licensure requirements vary by state, although candidates usually must graduate from an accredited dental program and pass written and clinical exams. PayThe median annual wage for dentists was $176,110 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of dentists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 4,800 openings for dentists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dentists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dentists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about dentists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for dentists was $176,110 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of dentists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 4,800 openings for dentists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dentists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dentists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about dentists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of dentists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 4,800 openings for dentists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dentists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dentists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about dentists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth.
Work Environment
Some dentists have their own business and work alone or with a small staff. Other dentists have partners in their practice. Still others work as associate dentists for established dental practices.
How to Become a Dentist
Dentists must be licensed in the state in which they work. Licensure requirements vary by state, although candidates usually must graduate from an accredited dental program and pass written and clinical exams.
Pay
The median annual wage for dentists was $176,110 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of dentists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 4,800 openings for dentists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dentists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dentists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about dentists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Some dentists have their own business and work alone or with a small staff. Other dentists have partners in their practice. Still others work as associate dentists for established dental practices.
How to Become a Dentist
Dentists must be licensed in the state in which they work. Licensure requirements vary by state, although candidates usually must graduate from an accredited dental program and pass written and clinical exams.
Pay
The median annual wage for dentists was $176,110 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of dentists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 4,800 openings for dentists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dentists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dentists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about dentists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dentists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dentists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about dentists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about dentists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.