How long does the training take?

Typically eight years or more of study. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do dentists, general make?

The US median is $170,950 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train for this work?

67 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Dentists, general: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Healthcare (clinical) · SOC 29-1021

$170,950US median pay, 2025

+5.7%Projected growth, 2025–35

4,200Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Doctoral or professional degree
Work in: dentists, general

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Dentistry	CIP 51.0401	65
Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics	CIP 51.0509	22
Advanced General Dentistry	CIP 51.0502	18
Dental Public Health Residency Program	CIP 60.0102	0
Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program	CIP 60.0106	0

See the 67 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically eight years or more of study. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do dentists, general make?: The US median is $170,950 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train for this work?: 67 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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