How much does a Dentist make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Dentist
Image that illustrates Dentist

Dentist

54 600 kr

Dentists

38 900 - 75 300 kr / month

Women earn 92% of what men do.

Hälso- & sjukvård

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Dentist

Average salary 54 600 kr
Males 58 100 kr
Females 53 400 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 88 Vacant jobs ->

What does a dentist do? – Tasks and work environment

A dentist works to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries in the oral cavity and jaw system. Tasks include everything from examinations, radiography, and cavity treatment to more advanced procedures such as root canals, surgery, and prosthetics. Many dentists also lead teams consisting of dental assistants and hygienists, which requires teamwork and leadership skills. The work environment is technologically advanced with high hygiene standards, often taking place in clinics within both public and private sectors. Patient contact is central and requires empathy and pedagogical skills, especially as many patients experience anxiety about dental visits.

Salary development over time

The profession of dentistry has experienced a stable and positive salary development in recent years. In 2022, the average monthly salary was 52,700 SEK, which increased to 54 400 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has continued to rise to 54 600 SEK, representing an increase of approximately 3.6% over three years. Factors driving this development include a continued high demand for dentists in the labor market, increased requirements for specialized competence, and a growing population with greater needs for both preventive and advanced dental care. Salaries are also influenced by competition between regions and sectors, with private providers often able to offer higher wages to attract experienced dentists.

Dentist salary – a complete overview

  • Average salary: 54 600 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 92% of what men do (men 58 100 SEK, women 53 400 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Salary levels may vary between regions, but generally demand and wages are higher in metropolitan areas and rural areas with high recruitment needs.

Education and qualifications

Becoming a dentist requires a long and qualified education. To work as a licensed dentist in Sweden, a dentistry degree, a license from the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen), and often some practical experience are required. The education includes both theory and practical training with patient contact already during studies. Admission to the program requires high grades or results from the university entrance exam.

  • Formal degree: Dentistry degree from university (5 years)
  • Licensing: Issued by Socialstyrelsen after degree completion
  • Practical training: Clinical practice included in the education
  • Prerequisites: Scientific upper secondary education with specific eligibility
  • Further specialization: Opportunities to specialize in areas such as orthodontics or maxillofacial surgery

The dental profession offers great opportunities for an international career, as Swedish dental education has a good reputation and is recognized in many countries. Additionally, continuous professional development is standard, as dental technology advances rapidly.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

In addition to the base salary, dentists often receive benefits such as extra vacation days, wellness allowances, occupational pension, and opportunities for further training. Many employers also offer flexible working hours, skills development support, and in some cases bonuses or performance-based compensation. Particularly in the private sector, benefits such as private health insurance and access to modern equipment are common.

Competition and challenges

Competition for positions varies between regions, but generally there is a shortage of dentists in large parts of the country. The recruitment situation is paradoxical, with difficulty finding experienced dentists while a relatively high proportion leave the profession or work part-time. Challenges in the profession include high demands for patient safety, continuous technological development, and work environments where stress and physical strain injuries can occur. At the same time, the labor market is stable, and demand is expected to increase further in the coming years.

Tips for aspiring dentists

To succeed as a dentist, it is good to combine thoroughness with strong communication skills, as patient contact and documentation are central parts of the work. Resilience to stress is helpful during high work pace and unexpected situations, while empathy and listening skills facilitate dealing with patients with dental anxiety. An interest in technology and continuous development is also valuable, as new methods and materials are constantly introduced. Teamwork skills ease collaboration with dental assistants and hygienists, and good problem-solving abilities are needed for diagnostics and treatment. Finally, perseverance is important both during the long education and in daily work to maintain high quality of care over time.

Key facts about dentists

  • Education level: Dentistry degree (5 years) and licensing
  • Work environment: Clinic-based, public and private sectors
  • Demand: Very high, especially in rural areas and big cities
  • Typical work form: Full-time, daytime
  • Specialization: Opportunities for further training in areas like orthodontics and maxillofacial surgery

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, there are good opportunities to advance to specialist dentist in fields such as prosthetics, endodontics, or orthodontics. Many experienced dentists also choose to become clinic managers, start their own practice, or work in research and education. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast, job prospects are very good nationally, and demand is expected to increase further over the next five years. The recruitment situation is described as strained, meaning employers often compete for experienced dentists and offer attractive conditions. Currently, there are 375 job openings in the profession, highlighting the strong labor market.

Frequently asked questions about dentists

  • What is the average salary of a dentist?
    - A dentist has an average monthly salary of 54 600 SEK.
  • How long is the education to become a dentist?
    - The education lasts five years at university and leads to a degree and licensing.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 92% of what men do in the profession.
  • What opportunities for specialization are there?
    - Opportunities exist to further specialize in areas such as orthodontics, prosthetics, or maxillofacial surgery.
  • What is the job market like for dentists?
    - The job market is very good with high demand and many available positions nationally.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for dentists?
    - The highest salary is 75,300 SEK per month and the lowest is 38,900 SEK, depending on education, sector, and experience.
  • Can dentists work internationally?
    - Yes, Swedish dental education is recognized in many countries and opens opportunities for an international career.
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Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-10-21 12:40:07

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Dentist is 75300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Municipal sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 71500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Dentist is 38900 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Municipal sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 39900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 97% 42600 kr 43200 kr
35-44 96% 54300 kr 54800 kr
45-54 83% 62000 kr 62500 kr
55-64 88% 58800 kr 59200 kr
65-68 76400 kr 76600 kr
Snitt 92% 54100 kr 54600 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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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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