- Salary statistics
- Dentist salary
Dentist salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
39 000 - 86 100 SEK / month
Women earn 95% of what men do.
Hälso- & sjukvård
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Salary progression Dentist
What does an odontologist do? – Tasks and work environment
An odontologist mainly works to prevent, diagnose, and treat various diseases and injuries in the oral cavity and jaw system. The profession encompasses everything from examinations and treatments of teeth and gums to advanced surgical procedures and rehabilitation of bite function. The work environment is often clinical, conducted in modern clinics with advanced equipment. Odontologists regularly collaborate with dental hygienists, dental assistants, and sometimes other specialists within healthcare. The profession requires high precision, thoroughness, and an empathetic approach toward patients of all ages.
Salary development over time
The odontologist professional group has shown a stable and positive salary development over recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 52,700 SEK per month, increasing to 54 600 in 2023 and further to 57 500 in 2024. This corresponds to a total increase of approximately 3.6% over three years, with the largest increase between 2022 and 2023. Salary growth is driven by continued high demand for qualified odontologists, especially as the population ages and the need for specialist skills in dental care increases. Additionally, education level, experience, and geographic location influence salary potential. The relatively slow increase between 2023 and 2024 indicates some stabilization, but labor shortages in certain regions may eventually drive wages higher.
Odontologist salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 57 500 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 38,900 SEK/month (men), 39,900 SEK/month (women)
- Highest salary: 75,300 SEK/month (men), 71,500 SEK/month (women)
- Hourly wage: 328 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 95% of what men do (56 800 SEK compared to 59 500 SEK)
- Regional differences: Available salary figures vary depending on location and sector
Odontologists often have the opportunity to specialize in areas such as oral surgery or pediatric dentistry, which opens doors to deeper expertise and varied job tasks. For those who appreciate continuous development and human contact, the profession can offer a very stimulating career.
Education and qualifications
To work as an odontologist, a longer university education is required, with high demands on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The program includes fundamental medical subjects, as well as specialization within dentistry and clinical practice. After completing the basic education, licensure is required to work independently within the profession. There are also opportunities to undertake specialist training for those wishing to work within specific areas.
- Formal degree: Dentist degree (5 years, university level)
- Licensure: Issued by the National Board of Health and Welfare after approved degree
- Specialist training: 3 additional years for certain specializations
- Practical training: Clinical practice during studies and possibly internship
- Prerequisites: Basic eligibility and specific requirements in science subjects
Common benefits and compensations
Odontologists are often offered benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, extra vacation days, and opportunities for professional development. Many employers in both public and private sectors also offer flexible working hours, subsidized dental care, and insurance solutions covering both work-related and private needs. Larger organizations may also provide leadership training and further education within specialist areas.
Competition and challenges
Competition for positions as an odontologist can vary depending on region and specialization. In some parts of the country, there is a shortage of qualified odontologists, making it difficult for employers to recruit staff. At the same time, reports indicate high workload and challenges in balancing clinical work with continuing education and administrative tasks. Technological advances in dental care also require ongoing skills development. Despite these challenges, demand remains high, with good prospects for permanent employment and career growth.
Tips for aspiring odontologists
To succeed as an odontologist, it’s beneficial to combine analytical skills with patience and an interest in details. Goal orientation is important early in studies, as the education is demanding and comprehensive. Precision and accuracy are daily requirements in clinical work, so developing good routines and technical skills is crucial. Empathy and communication skills facilitate interactions with patients and colleagues, especially during complex treatments or when anxiety is present. Staying updated on new methods and technologies within dentistry enhances career prospects. Flexibility is also valuable, as tasks and work environments can vary over time. Finally, networking early in the industry can open doors to internships and future employment opportunities.
Key facts about odontologists
- Education level: Dentist degree (5 years) and licensure
- Work environment: Clinical setting, often in teams
- Demand: Very high, 371 reported job openings
- Typical employment: Permanent positions in public or private sector
- Special skills: Diagnostics, surgery, patient interaction
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, an odontologist can choose to specialize further in areas such as orthodontics, oral surgery, or prosthetics. Many also take on leadership roles as clinic managers or supervisors for students and new colleagues. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, the job market for odontologists is assessed as very good nationwide, with significant opportunities for employment and an expected increase in demand over the next five years. The so-called "paradoxical" recruitment situation means that there are both recruitment difficulties and some turnover, further enhancing career opportunities for dedicated and development-oriented professionals.
Frequently asked questions about odontologists
- What does an odontologist earn?
- The average salary for an odontologist is 57 500 SEK per month. - How long is the education to become an odontologist?
- The basic education is 5 years at university, followed by licensure. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn on average 95% of what men do within the profession. - What work environments are most common?
- Most odontologists work at dental clinics, either in the public or private sector. - What are the future prospects for odontologists?
- The outlook is very good with great opportunities for employment and increasing demand. - What is required to become a specialist?
- An additional 3 years of training within the chosen specialist area after basic education. - What is the highest and lowest salary for an odontologist?
- The highest salary is 75,300 SEK (men), 71,500 SEK (women); the lowest is 38,900 SEK (men), 39,900 SEK (women).
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 96% | 43700 kr | 44400 kr |
| 35-44 | 103% | 58000 kr | 58700 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 65000 kr | 65400 kr |
| 55-64 | 87% | 66500 kr | 67700 kr |
| 65-68 | 76700 kr | 77100 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 56800 kr | 57500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 39300 kr | 39300 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 43200 kr | 43700 kr |
| 35-44 | 102% | 56500 kr | 57300 kr |
| 45-54 | 95% | 67500 kr | 68400 kr |
| 55-64 | 94% | 73300 kr | 73900 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 77600 kr | 77900 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 57200 kr | 57800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 40700 kr | 40700 kr | |
| 35-44 | 107% | 52900 kr | 52900 kr |
| 45-54 | 77% | 52400 kr | 52400 kr |
| 55-64 | 95% | 61900 kr | 61900 kr |
| Snitt | 91% | 52900 kr | 52900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 45200 kr | 45200 kr | |
| 35-44 | 52200 kr | 52200 kr | |
| 45-54 | 73000 kr | 73000 kr | |
| Snitt | 79% | 57500 kr | 57600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 39300 kr | 39300 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 43200 kr | 43700 kr |
| 35-44 | 102% | 56600 kr | 57500 kr |
| 45-54 | 96% | 68000 kr | 68900 kr |
| 55-64 | 93% | 73600 kr | 74300 kr |
| 65-68 | 96% | 77900 kr | 78200 kr |
| Snitt | 97% | 57300 kr | 58000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 93% | 44200 kr | 45000 kr |
| 35-44 | 103% | 59300 kr | 59700 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 63700 kr | 64000 kr |
| 55-64 | 61500 kr | 63200 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 56500 kr | 57200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 93% | 44200 kr | 45000 kr |
| 35-44 | 103% | 59300 kr | 59700 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 63700 kr | 64000 kr |
| 55-64 | 61500 kr | 63200 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 56500 kr | 57200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 96% | 44900 kr | 45900 kr |
| 35-44 | 103% | 56500 kr | 57500 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 68500 kr | 69300 kr |
| 55-64 | 87% | 73900 kr | 74800 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 58600 kr | 59500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 40300 kr | 40300 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 43500 kr | 44300 kr |
| 35-44 | 102% | 55300 kr | 56700 kr |
| 45-54 | 95% | 69200 kr | 70600 kr |
| 55-64 | 94% | 76000 kr | 77200 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 79700 kr | 80200 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 58200 kr | 59300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 107% | 50100 kr | 50100 kr |
| 45-54 | 77% | 60100 kr | 60100 kr |
| 55-64 | 95% | 63600 kr | 63600 kr |
| Snitt | 91% | 56500 kr | 56500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 79% | 69200 kr | 69200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 40300 kr | 40300 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 43500 kr | 44300 kr |
| 35-44 | 102% | 55400 kr | 56800 kr |
| 45-54 | 96% | 69500 kr | 70900 kr |
| 55-64 | 93% | 76400 kr | 77600 kr |
| 65-68 | 96% | 79700 kr | 80200 kr |
| Snitt | 97% | 58200 kr | 59300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 93% | 46600 kr | 47800 kr |
| 35-44 | 103% | 57800 kr | 58300 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 68000 kr | 68400 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 59000 kr | 59700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 93% | 46600 kr | 47800 kr |
| 35-44 | 103% | 57800 kr | 58300 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 68000 kr | 68400 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 59000 kr | 59700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 96% | 43300 kr | 43900 kr |
| 35-44 | 103% | 58600 kr | 59100 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 63700 kr | 64100 kr |
| 55-64 | 87% | 64000 kr | 65300 kr |
| 65-68 | 75800 kr | 76200 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 56200 kr | 56800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 38800 kr | 38900 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 43100 kr | 43400 kr |
| 35-44 | 102% | 57100 kr | 57600 kr |
| 45-54 | 95% | 66700 kr | 67200 kr |
| 55-64 | 94% | 71900 kr | 72300 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 76300 kr | 76500 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 56700 kr | 57100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 41100 kr | 41100 kr | |
| 35-44 | 107% | 53700 kr | 53700 kr |
| 45-54 | 77% | 46600 kr | 46600 kr |
| 55-64 | 95% | 60800 kr | 60800 kr |
| Snitt | 91% | 51300 kr | 51300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 43500 kr | 43500 kr | |
| 35-44 | 52200 kr | 52200 kr | |
| Snitt | 79% | 54600 kr | 54600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 38800 kr | 38900 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 43100 kr | 43500 kr |
| 35-44 | 102% | 57200 kr | 57800 kr |
| 45-54 | 96% | 67200 kr | 67800 kr |
| 55-64 | 93% | 72200 kr | 72600 kr |
| 65-68 | 96% | 76700 kr | 77000 kr |
| Snitt | 97% | 56800 kr | 57300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 93% | 43500 kr | 44200 kr |
| 35-44 | 103% | 59800 kr | 60200 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 62500 kr | 62800 kr |
| 55-64 | 59200 kr | 61200 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 55800 kr | 56500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 93% | 43500 kr | 44200 kr |
| 35-44 | 103% | 59800 kr | 60200 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 62500 kr | 62800 kr |
| 55-64 | 59200 kr | 61200 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 55800 kr | 56500 kr |
About the data
All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.
All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.
Profession Dentist has the SSYK code 2260, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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