How much does a prosthodontist make?

The median pay is $149.61 per hour — roughly $311,000 a year, with the real range running from about $49.77/hr (10th percentile) to $165.75/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a prosthodontist?

The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

What does a prosthodontist actually do all day?

Examine patients to diagnose oral health conditions and diseases. Fit prostheses to patients, making any necessary adjustments and modifications. Replace missing teeth and associated oral structures with permanent fixtures, such as implant-supported prostheses, crowns and bridges, or removable fixtures, such as dentures.

Health Care

Prosthodontists

Diagnose, treat, rehabilitate, design, and fit prostheses that maintain oral function, health, and appearance for patients with clinical conditions associated with teeth, oral and maxillofacial tissues, or the jaw.

What it pays
Prosthodontists earn a median of $149.61/hr — about $311,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $49.77/hr; the top 10% earn $165.75/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Examine patients to diagnose oral health conditions and diseases.
Fit prostheses to patients, making any necessary adjustments and modifications.
Replace missing teeth and associated oral structures with permanent fixtures, such as implant-supported prostheses, crowns and bridges, or removable fixtures, such as dentures.
Measure and take impressions of patients' jaws and teeth to determine the shape and size of dental prostheses, using face bows, dental articulators, recording devices, and other materials.
Collaborate with general dentists, specialists, and other health professionals to develop solutions to dental and oral health concerns.
Design and fabricate dental prostheses, or supervise dental technicians and laboratory bench workers who construct the devices.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work is mostly indoors; you're around people constantly; it rewards working independently; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 12% of prosthodontists are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are hands-on, analytical and people-focused.

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Quick questions

How much does a prosthodontist make?: The median pay is $149.61 per hour — roughly $311,000 a year, with the real range running from about $49.77/hr (10th percentile) to $165.75/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a prosthodontist?: The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
What does a prosthodontist actually do all day?: Examine patients to diagnose oral health conditions and diseases. Fit prostheses to patients, making any necessary adjustments and modifications. Replace missing teeth and associated oral structures with permanent fixtures, such as implant-supported prostheses, crowns and bridges, or removable fixtures, such as dentures.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

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