How Much Do Dentists Make in New Jersey? Your Simple 2024 Guide

You might wonder: How much do dentists get paid in New Jersey? It’s a good question. Maybe you’re thinking of becoming a dentist, just finished dental school, or you’re thinking of moving to NJ and want to see if the pay matches the cost of living. You’re not the only one asking.

Let’s go over real pay ranges, explain why these numbers change, and show how you can earn more without getting too stressed. I’ll keep it easy to follow and tell you where the info comes from.

Table of Contents

• Average Dentist Salary in New Jersey: The Big Picture
• What Can Change Dentist Pay in NJ
• Dentist Pay in NJ by Specialty
• Pay for New Dentists in New Jersey
• Dentist Pay by NJ County and Major City
• Practice Owner vs. Associate Dentist Pay in NJ
• Cost of Living in NJ and Dentist Pay
• Job Outlook for Dentists in NJ
• How to Earn More as a Dentist in New Jersey
• Key Points on NJ Dentist Pay

Average Dentist Salary in New Jersey: The Big Picture

New Jersey is a pretty good place for dentists to earn money. Pay is often above the national average because there are lots of people, strong demand for dental care, and higher fees that match the local cost of living.

Here’s what recent 2023–2024 numbers from sites like BLS, Salary.com, Glassdoor, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Payscale, and Medscape show:

• Average dentist pay NJ: about $185,000 to $220,000 a year
• Normal range: $130,000 up to $350,000 or more
• Starting dentist pay NJ: $120,000 to $160,000 base pay, sometimes with a production bonus
• Mid-career dentist NJ: $170,000 to $250,000
• Experienced dentist NJ: $250,000 to $350,000+, with owners and top specialists making even more
• NJ dentist pay vs national: New Jersey dentists often earn 5–15% more than the US average depending on the job and specialty

Why such a wide range? Your pay depends on your specialty, how much experience you have, where you work, how busy you are, insurance mix, and where in NJ you work.

Sources:

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
• Salary.com, Glassdoor, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Payscale
• American Dental Association (ADA), Dental Economics
• New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA)

Note: These numbers are for planning and learning. Your real offer can be different based on the market, the practice, your benefits, and how well you do.

What Can Change Dentist Pay in NJ

Dentist pay in NJ changes based on a few important things:

Dental Specialty

• General dentists: The most common, earn about $175,000 to $210,000. This can change a lot based on the work you do and how busy your office is.
• Specialists usually earn more:
• Orthodontists: $240,000 to $320,000, sometimes higher
• Oral & maxillofacial surgeons: $300,000 to $450,000+ (usually the top earners)
• Pediatric dentists: $200,000 to $280,000
• Endodontists: $230,000 to $310,000
• Periodontists: $220,000 to $300,000
• Prosthodontists: $210,000 to $290,000
• Cosmetic dentists: Pay changes a lot depending on the work you get

Your Experience

• New/Entry dentists: $120,000 to $160,000 base pay with a possible bonus. You get paid more as you see more patients.
• Mid-career: 5-10 years in, $170,000 to $250,000 is common.
• Experienced dentists: 10+ years, maybe an owner, $250,000 to $350,000+ is possible.

Where You Work

• Private practice:
• Associate dentist: $150,000 to $230,000+ when busy
• Practice owner: Makes more as business grows, often nets $250,000 to $500,000+ after costs
• Corporate dentistry/DSO:
• Associate at a DSO: $130,000 to $190,000 base pay, with bonuses
• Public health/government:
• Pay is usually less than private practice, but strong benefits and easier hours attract some dentists

Where in NJ

• Urban and rich suburbs usually pay more (like Bergen, Essex, Morris Counties)
• Rural South Jersey pays less, but you might pay less to live there, too

How Busy and Productive You Are

• More patients and more procedures = more pay. Doing things like implants or cosmetic work can boost your pay.

Your Education

• More training, board certification, and extra courses let you do more high-paying procedures.

Dentist Pay in NJ by Specialty

General dentists:

• $175,000 to $210,000 (sometimes $120,000 to $300,000)

Orthodontists:

• $240,000 to $320,000, busy offices pay more

Oral surgeons:

• $300,000 to $450,000+

Pediatric dentists:

• $200,000 to $280,000

Periodontists:

• $220,000 to $300,000

Endodontists:

• $230,000 to $310,000

Prosthodontists:

• $210,000 to $290,000

Pay for New Dentists in New Jersey

New grads:

• $120,000 to $160,000 base pay, plus maybe a production bonus

Dental residency:

• Pay is much lower than associate roles, but you gain skills for better pay later

Negotiate your first dentist job:

• Ask about base pay, bonus, how pay is calculated, patient flow, and benefits (like health insurance, 401(k), CE support).

Dentist Pay by NJ County and Major City

Higher paying counties:

• Bergen County: $200,000 – $350,000+
• Essex, Monmouth, Morris: Often $190,000 – $330,000+
• Middlesex: $180,000 – $320,000

Other counties:

• Hudson: $180,000 – $320,000
• Union: $170,000 – $300,000
• Ocean, Burlington, Camden: $150,000 – $280,000
• Rural South NJ: $130,000 – $180,000

Major Cities:

• Newark: $170,000 – $310,000
• Jersey City: $180,000 – $320,000
• Edison, Trenton, Princeton: $150,000 – $320,000

Tip: Some dentists check neighborhood safety and commuting when choosing where to work.

Practice Owner vs. Associate Dentist Pay in NJ

Associate dentist:

• $130,000 to $230,000+ based on how busy you are and how you’re paid
• Benefits like insurance, retirement, and CE are common

Practice owner:

• Higher earning possible ($250,000 to $500,000+ net if business is good)
• Your profit depends on how much it takes to run your office

Corporate/DSOs:

• Steady base pay, bonuses, benefits, less control over how you work

Public sector:

• Lower pay, but great benefits and job security, plus loan pay-down options

Cost of Living in NJ and Dentist Pay

New Jersey has a high cost of living. Housing, taxes, childcare, and commuting can take a chunk of your pay.

• Taxes: Use online tax calculators (like ADP) to see your real take-home pay.
• Housing: Near NYC or nice suburbs costs more.
• Benefits: Good health insurance or retirement plans really help in a high-cost state.
• Compare real value: Check offers and use a cost-of-living calculator to see what your paycheck can really buy.

Job Outlook for Dentists in NJ

Dentists in NJ are likely to keep having good job chances and strong pay.

What’s helping:

• Lots of people and more older adults needing care
• New tech making work faster and easier
• More DSOs: offer jobs to new grads and mid-career dentists
• Insurance payouts can affect what you earn
• Public health jobs offer steadier hours and good benefits
• Local education and good training can boost your skills and pay

How to Earn More as a Dentist in New Jersey

You can raise your pay by working smarter, not just harder.

• Negotiate: Use info from BLS, Salary.com, Glassdoor, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Payscale
• Add services:
• Implants raise your pay; partner with an experienced implant dental laboratory to get the best results for bigger cases
• Cosmetic work like veneers adds extra pay; team up with a trusted veneer lab for shade matching
• Good lab partners for crowns/bridges (see crown and bridge lab) keep quality high and save time
• Use digital tools: Simple digital steps and a reliable digital dental lab make appointments smoother
• Be efficient:
• Block schedule, lower no-shows, use smart recall systems
• Explain care in clear, simple words
• Know insurance basics
• Choose your setting:
• Private practice: More risk, but more possible profit
• DSO: Steady, less stress, but less control
• Public health or VA: Good for those wanting stability and a set schedule
• Get more skills:
• Specialize (endo, perio, etc.) or take focused CE courses, like on implants
• Watch costs:
• Lower overhead, pay off debt, talk to a CPA about smart ways to pay less in taxes

Key Points on NJ Dentist Pay

• NJ dentists usually earn more than the US average (about 5–15% higher)
• What you make depends on your role, where you work, how much experience you have, and how busy your office is
• Specialties like oral surgery and orthodontics pay the most
• Private owners can pay themselves more, but take on more risk; DSOs are the safe route
• Cost of living is high—make sure your pay covers your real costs
• Growing your skillset and being efficient at work can bump up your pay

Who is this for?

• People thinking about dental school: Use this to plan school debt and future pay
• New dentists: Compare job offers, ask about pay and expectations
• Mid-career dentists: Consider specialty or owning a practice
• Dentists thinking of moving to NJ: Check the numbers and compare counties
• Public health minded: If benefits and steady hours matter, look at those jobs

Next Steps for You

• Check current numbers: Look at BLS, ADA, NJDA, Salary.com, Glassdoor, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Payscale for current dentist pay in NJ
• Compare offers: Ask how pay is figured, how busy you might be, and what the benefits are
• Plan your career: Pick the setting and location that fits your goals and life
• Grow your skills: Take training in areas like implants or cosmetic procedures
• Protect your pay: Use payroll tools to figure out your real after-tax income; talk to a dental CPA
• Connect locally: Join the New Jersey Dental Association or Rutgers School of Dental Medicine for support and job leads

Remember, these numbers change often. Always check real offers, talk to people working in NJ, and ask experts before making big moves.

Sources:

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
• American Dental Association (ADA)
• New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA)
• Dental Economics
• Medscape
• Glassdoor, Indeed, Salary.com, ZipRecruiter, Payscale
• New Jersey Department of Health
• CODA for dental school info
• Dental Group Practice Association

Bottom line: In New Jersey, dentists can earn well if they pick the right job for their skills and work in a way that doesn’t burn them out. You can make a living and help people at the same time. That’s a win-win.