While the average 4-year dental program could run you around $400,000 with all expenses included, the career trajectory is promising. Average dentist salaries outrank various other industries, putting newly graduated dentists in a fairly sound financial position.
Despite competitive salaries, the average dental student graduates with around $300,000 in student debt. While daunting, the significant earning potential makes you a great candidate for student loan refinancing.
Student loan refinancing can save you thousands, sometimes even tens of thousands, of dollars over the life of your loan, while also helping you pay off your student debt faster.
Let’s learn more about the average dentist salary, both by state and speciality, and how you save thousands by refinancing your dental school loans.
Jump ahead > Average Dentist Salaries by State • Average Dentist Salaries by Specialty • Is Being a Dentist Worth It? • Why Dentists Should Consider Refinancing • Best Student Loan Refinancing Options for Dentists
Average Dentist Salaries By State in 2022
According to ZipRecruiter, the average dentist salary is $172,328 in the United States. However, similar to many other industries, the average salary varies significantly by state.
| State | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $136,021 | $65.30 |
| Alaska | $181,591 | $87.30 |
| Arizona | $155,451 | $74.74 |
| Arkansas | $158,376 | $76.14 |
| California | $162,841 | $78.30 |
| Colorado | $161,289 | $77.54 |
| Connecticut | $156,262 | $75.13 |
| Delaware | $163,128 | $78.43 |
| Florida | $132,191 | $63.55 |
| Georgia | $126,446 | $58.59 |
| Hawaii | $191,620 | $92.13 |
| Idaho | $161,924 | $77.85 |
| Illinois | $151,073 | $72.63 |
| Indiana | $149,400 | $71.83 |
| Iowa | $143,042 | $68.77 |
| Kansas | $164,718 | $79.19 |
| Kentucky | $154,002 | $74.04 |
| Louisiana | $121,872 | $58.59 |
| Maine | $153,137 | $73.62 |
| Maryland | $171,369 | $82.39 |
| Massachusetts | $189,612 | $91.16 |
| Michigan | $154,888 | $74.47 |
| Minnesota | $150,896 | $72.55 |
| Mississippi | $162,569 | $78.16 |
| Missouri | $147,227 | $70.78 |
| Montana | $156,848 | $75.41 |
| Nebraska | $162,841 | $78.29 |
| Nevada | $189,434 | $91.07 |
| New Hampshire | $164,088 | $78.89 |
| New Jersey | $157,906 | $75.92 |
| New Mexico | $137,189 | $65.96 |
| New York | $174,327 | $83.81 |
| North Carolina | $134,573 | $64.70 |
| North Dakota | $180,299 | $86.68 |
| Ohio | $143,233 | $68.86 |
| Oklahoma | $153,828 | $73.96 |
| Oregon | $182,096 | $87.55 |
| Pennsylvania | $144,297 | $69.37 |
| Rhode Island | $185,435 | $89.15 |
| South Carolina | $160,215 | $77.03 |
| South Dakota | $170,905 | $82.17 |
| Tennessee | $155,513 | $74.77 |
| Texas | $143,183 | $68.84 |
| Utah | $141,218 | $67.89 |
| Vermont | $161,517 | $77.65 |
| Virginia | $166,782 | $80.18 |
| Washington | $178,344 | $85.74 |
| West Virginia | $147,568 | $70.95 |
| Wisconsin | $143,486 | $68.98 |
| Wyoming | $152,992 | $73.55 |
Average Dentist Salaries By Specialty in 2022
Similarly to state discrepancies, dentist salaries vary significantly by specialty. For example, while public health dentists make an average $102,320 per year, periodontists make a whopping $374,400 per year.
Keep in mind that these numbers are simply averages — there are dental professionals who make significantly more and significantly less.
| Specialty | Average Salary |
| General Dentist | $167,160 |
| Endodontist | $304,205 |
| Prosthodontist | $143,730 |
| Periodontist | $374,400 |
| Orthodontist | $267,280 |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | $311,460 |
| Dental Anesthesiologist | $241,505 |
| Public Health Dentist | $102,320 |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,360 |
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Comparably.
Is Being a Dentist Worth It?
Whether a career in dentistry is worth it is ultimately up to you. However, being a dentist is both a high-paying and growing career — two factors many job seekers heavily consider.
In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that employment of dentists is expected to rise 8% between 2020 and 2030. This is on par with the average for all occupations.
Here’s a few other statistics to consider:
- Only 29% of dentists plan to look for a new job this year.*
- Only 18% of dentists work more than 40 hours per week.*
- Nearly 22% of dentists work less than 21 hours per week.*
*Data from DentalPost.
Why Dentists Should Consider Student Loan Refinancing
The average dental student takes on nearly $300,000 in dental school debt. Combine that with the average private student loan interest rate of around 7% and a 15-year repayment term, and you’re looking at monthly payments of around $2,696. By the end of the repayment term, you will have paid roughly $485,367 — nearly $200,000 more than what you initially borrowed.
With such a large balance, the amount owed will grow fairly quickly, making your interest rate that much more important. This is precisely why dentists should consider student loan refinancing. Refinancing can help lower that interest rate, saving you thousands over the life of your loan.
Borrowers who use Sparrow to refinance reduce their interest rate by 2.29 percentage points, on average. In this same scenario, a 2.29 percent interest rate reduction would save you $369 on your monthly payments and $66,451 over the life of the loan.
Note that this interest rate reduction is only the average. As a dentist, your salary makes you a more competitive candidate for refinancing as lenders will view you as financially able to pay off your debt. Thus, you may score an even greater interest rate reduction when you refinance your dental school debt with Sparrow.
What Dentists Should Look for in a Refinance Loan
When looking for a lender to refinance your dental school debt with, you should consider the following factors:
- Interest rate
- Borrowing limit
- Loan terms
Interest Rate
The purpose of refinancing is to save money, which is primarily done through a lower interest rate. Before agreeing to a refinance loan, be sure to compare loan options to see what interest rates you qualify for.
To compare refinance loans with 15+ lenders in one application, complete the Sparrow application.
Borrowing Limit
Due to the amount of student loan debt you may hold as a dentist, you’ll need to find a lender with a higher borrowing limit. For example, some lenders may allow you to refinance up to $500,000 while others may only allow up to $100,000.
If you plan to refinance the entirety of what you owe, make sure the lender you decide to work with will allow you to refinance your whole outstanding balance.
Loan Terms
Oftentimes, refinancing will allow you to extend your loan term. Extending your loan term will often lead you to pay more over the life of your loan, however, it can lower your monthly payments.
If your goal with refinancing is to lower your monthly payment, look for a lender that allows for a longer repayment term than what you currently have.
Best Student Loan Refinancing Options for Dentists
The best refinance loan will ultimately be the one that provides you with the best interest rate and terms. However, the following are our top picks for refinance loans for dentists, in order of borrowing limit from highest to lowest.
SoFi
SoFi is one of the largest student loan refinance companies in the industry. With competitive interest rates, a diverse set of repayment options, and exclusive member benefits, SoFi is a good fit if you have an associate’s degree or higher, a high income, and a strong credit score.
Borrowing Limit: Up to your total outstanding balance
Minimum Credit Score: Does not disclose
Earnest
Earnest offers both private student loans and student loan refinancing. With competitive interest rates, customizable repayment plans, and forward-looking eligibility criteria, Earnest is a good fit if you don’t have a cosigner but have a strong credit score.
Borrowing Limit: $500,000
Minimum Credit Score: 650
Brazos
Brazos is a non-profit lender that offers private student loans and student loan refinancing for Texas residents. While Brazos student loan refinancing is only available to Texas residents, the non-profit lender offers competitive rates and flexible terms to those who qualify. It’s best if you are a Texas resident with at least a bachelor’s degree and have an established income and strong credit.
Note: You are not required to have graduated from a Texas school in order to qualify.
Borrowing Limit: $400,000
Minimum Credit Score: 720, or 690 with a qualified cosigner
College Ave
College Ave offers both private student loans and student loan refinancing with competitive rates, flexible repayment terms, and strong customer service. College Ave’s student loan refinance offering is best if you are seeking a more flexible repayment term that allows you to find a loan that matches your budget.
Borrowing Limit: $300,000
Minimum Credit Score: Upper 600s
ISL Education Lending
ISL Education Lending is a nonprofit student lender offering both private student loans and student loan refinancing. ISL Education Lending refinance loans are best if you want to work with a nonprofit lender, want competitive interest rates, or want to refinance if you did not finish your dental degree.
Borrowing Limit: $300,000
Minimum Credit Score: 670
LendKey
LendKey offers both private student loans and student loan refinancing. By connecting you with a network of 100+ lesser-known credit unions and community banks, LendKey allows you to work with smaller lenders with low rates and good customer service, rather than traditional lending institutions. LendKey’s student loan refinance offering is best if you want to work with a credit union or community bank to access loan offers you otherwise might have overlooked.
Borrowing Limit: $300,000
Minimum Credit Score: 680
Arkansas Student Loan Authority (ASLA)
The Arkansas Student Loan Authority (ASLA) is an Arkansas state entity that provides both private student loans and student loan refinancing for Arkansas students and graduates.
While ASLA’s student loan refinancing is only available to Arkansas residents or students who attended a school in Arkansas, they do offer competitive interest rates and flexible terms to those who qualify. ASLA is best if you are an Arkansas resident or attended a school in Arkansas and want flexible repayment options.
Borrowing Limit: $250,000
Minimum Credit Score: 670
INvestED
INvestED offers private student loans, parent loans, and student loan refinancing for residents of Indiana and students who attended a school in Indiana. INvestED’s student loan refinance offering is best if you are a resident of Indiana or student who attended school in Indiana seeking competitive interest rates, a variety of repayment options, and a flexible repayment option.
Borrowing Limit: $250,000
Minimum Credit Score: 670
Nelnet Bank
Nelnet Bank offers both private student loans and student loan refinancing. Nelnet Bank’s student loan refinance offering is best if you are seeking competitive rates, a flexible forbearance policy, and the ability to refinance both private and/or federal student loans, including parent PLUS Loans.
Borrowing Limit: $225,000
Minimum Credit Score: 640
Final Thoughts from the Nest
As a dentist, it’s fairly common to wind up with $300,000 in student loan debt. While it may feel overwhelming, the average dentist salary is high, which can help you pay off your student debt more easily.
Finding a state and specialty that provides you with a solid salary is a good start. If you find that your loan debt is still overwhelming, consider student loan refinancing with Sparrow. With Sparrow, you can see what rates you qualify for with 15+ premier lenders ready to help you.
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