New DentalPost Industry Salary Report results: A glimpse of optimism for 2026?

In collaboration with Endeavor Business Media, DentalPost conducted their annual Industry Salary Report from August 29 to September 30, 2026. This in-depth overview of the current state of dentistry includes insights on income and benefits, hours, job turnover, retirement plans—data gathered from 3,575 dentists, hygienists, assistants, and front-office specialists from all 50 states and Washington D.C. 

Dentists’ demographics 

The gender split between dentists skews predominantly male, with 65% of respondents being men. This is in stark contrast to RDH gender demographics; DentalPost’s RDH survey reported an overwhemling 97% of dental hygienists as female. 

 Out of the 428 dentists polled: 

• 77% are owners or partners 

• 83% practice general dentistry 

• 83% operate in private practices 

• 10% are in corporate 

• 38% have a mixed-model organizational structure 

• 27% are PPO-based 

Additionally, nearly 90% of dentists work full time. However, the demand for full-time dentists begets a possible staffing problem; DentalPost reported that despite the high percentage of dentists leading as owners or partners, only three in 10 are younger than 45, which may may it more difficult for young dentists committing to practice ownership. 

Chief editor of Dental Economics, Pamela Maragliano, DMD, says this data “highlights a shift in how younger dentists view practice ownership. If private practice is to remain strong, mentorship, leadership development and sustainable practice models will be essential.” 

How do they feel about their job? 

Dentists highly value business autonomy and the ability to set their own hours, which is what draws many to a private practice. Although delivering meaningful patient care and building interpersonal connections serve as two main reasons for job satisfaction. 

Roughly three out of four dentists are satisfied in their current role, which is a slight increase from 2025 and 2024 data. This is in line with the 83% who said they plan to remain in their current role rather than seek employment elsewhere. 

Out of those who are planning a career shift, compensation was not the main reason—unlike dental assistants, who are notably more motivated by money to move (84% cite higher income as a primary reason). Instead, dentists are looking for a better work environment (according to 46% of respondents) and a better location (according to 39%). 

Interestingly, 2024 data showed higher compensation as a key reason for career changes among dentists. 

Compensation and income 

According to DentalPost, “compared to 2024, average income rose 10% to $318K, while median income dropped 6% to $225K. The largest share of dentists (27%) is making $100K–$200K.” The main reasons dentists cited for changing jobs include better working conditions and a better location. In 2024, higher pay was also a driving factor. 

Although 44% of dentists received a pay bump over the last two years, roughly half of all associates have never received a raise at all. This may pose a challenge for hiring and maintaining a new wave of dentists as vertan dentists continue to retire. 

The newest generation of dentists face more that just compensation challenges; they also face a greater risk of attrition and rocky succession plans—less than half of associates have a retirement plan and medical coverage. Associates with no benefits at all leapt from 14% to 28% from last year. The most desired benefits associates don't currently have include paid vacation and paid holidays. 

However, the amount of offering paid continuing education, which is crucial to attracting and retaining young dentists, has increased notably. 

Challenges for the profession 

Insurance problems, burnout, and lack of benefits are wearing dentists down. Although compensation is not as much of an issue as it was in 2024, feeling underpaid still contributed to job dissatisfaction. Here’s what dentists said: 

• Insurance: “Difficulty balancing team wage expectations with little to no increase in insurance reimbursement rates and inflationary cost of doing business.” 

• Wages: “Lack of transparency and equity in compensation structure” and a “Push for continuous increased production without truly being incentivized or compensated for efforts.” 

• Burnout: “Poor reimbursement from PPOs; poor (revolving door) management and lack of support/direction from dentist owner 

• Leadership: “Our office feels disorganized and chaotic without defined roles and a lot of inefficiency, meaning I don’t think it can be turned around easily.” 

Hours and retirement 

Finally, more than half of respondents (56%) worked an average of four days a week in 2025, which is nearly the same as last year’s survey data. With burnout a continuous problem, many dentists value time off and flexibility to sustain a healthy work-life balance. 

Compared to 2024, retirement rates are also down by 9%, but established dentists are retiring faster than new dentists are joining the profession. 35% of responding dentists plan to retire in the next five years, yet less than a fifth (19%) have been in the profession for over a decade.

Here’s a breakdown of the experience level for all dentists polled: 

Late career (20+ years): 32% 

Mid-career (11-20 years): 24% 

Early career: (0-10 years): 17% 

2026 and beyond 

Looking ahead, the DentalPost survey suggests that the most successful dentists in 2026 will focus on long-term sustainability by investing in both operational excellence and workforce development. This includes refreshing total rewards packages, improving benefits, fostering cultures that prioritize autonomy and flexibility, strengthening leadership, and implementing recruiting and professional development strategies to rebalance the increasingly top-heavy career ladder. 

Although marketing confidence and revenue performance are improving, many private practice leaders are still not satisfied. This produces a growth paradox and exacerbates the problem of passing the torch to younger dentists. 

Ultimately, practices that address these issues now will be best positioned to capitalize on rising job satisfaction while ensuring future workforce stability.  

Pam Maragliano says: “Today's dentists are looking for more than production goals. They want purpose, balance and a practice culture that supports both clinical excellence and personal well-being.” 

Editor's note: This article appeared in the April 2026 print edition of Dental Economics magazine. Dentists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.