SOC 29-1029.00

    Dentists, All Other Specialists

    All dentists not listed separately.

    Median pay
    $224,990
    Growth
    +1.3%
    Slower than average
    Openings a year
    100
    Typical education
    Doctoral or professional degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $104,120
    Median
    $224,990
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $402,700
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    5,230 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    This career includes specialized dentists, such as pediatric dentists and endodontists, who provide advanced dental care. The median annual pay for these specialists is $224,990, with the highest earners making over $402,700.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What dentists, all other specialists do

    All dentists not listed separately.

    What the work is like

    These professionals perform specialized dental procedures that fall outside of general dentistry. Depending on their specific focus, they may treat children as pediatric dentists, perform root canals as endodontists, or treat gum disease as periodontists. Other specialists in this field focus on oral pathology or public health dentistry.

    To succeed in this field, individuals must have strong investigative and realistic interests. The work demands high attention to detail, analytical thinking, and deep scientific knowledge of medicine and dentistry. These specialists must be highly dependable and maintain self-control while working closely with patients to diagnose and treat complex oral health issues.

    How to get there

    Entering this career requires a high level of education. Candidates typically need a doctoral or professional degree. Relevant college majors and graduate programs include advanced or graduate dentistry and oral sciences, dental residency or fellowship programs, and medical clinical sciences or graduate medical studies.

    In addition to completing advanced dental education, licensing is an important factor. Some states list a license for this specific work, so prospective specialists should check the requirements of the state where they plan to practice.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for these dental specialists is $224,990. Earnings can vary significantly based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% earning less than $104,120 and the highest 10% earning more than $402,700.

    There are 5,230 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 1.3%, which is slower than average. This growth and replacement needs are expected to result in about 100 job openings each year.

    Also called

    Cosmetic Dentist · Endodontist · Maxillofacial Pathology · Oral Pathologist · Pediatric Dentist · Pedodontist · Periodontist · Public Health Dentist

    Career pathway

    From your interests to dentists, all other specialists

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. This career

      • Dentists, All Other Specialists$224,990 median pay

    2. Majors

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What dentists, all other specialists may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work. Showing 12 of 18.

    • Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences, Other
    • Dental Clinical Sciences, General
    • Dental Materials
    • Dental Public Health and Education
    • Dental Public Health Residency Program
    • Dental Residency/Fellowship Program, Other
    • Digital Dentistry
    • Endodontics Residency Program
    • Endodontics/Endodontology
    • Geriatric Dentistry
    • Implantology/Implant Dentistry
    • Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Residency Program

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    52 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Questions about dentists, all other specialists

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some common job titles in this field?

    People in this occupation work under various specialized titles. These include pediatric dentists, endodontists, periodontists, cosmetic dentists, and oral pathologists.

    What is the job outlook and annual opening count for these specialists?

    Employment is projected to grow by 1.3% from 2025 to 2035, which is slower than the average for all occupations. There are projected to be approximately 100 job openings available each year.

    What level of education is required to enter this career?

    To enter this field, individuals typically must earn a doctoral or professional degree. They prepare through specialized college majors such as dental residency programs or graduate oral sciences.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.