A dentist who uses dental records and teeth to identify human remains, assess bite injuries and estimate age for medical examiners and courts. BLS does not publish separate figures for dentists, general; it counts them within dentist (SOC 29-1021), whose median pay is $170,950 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 29-1021
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Forensic Odontologist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $170,950a year, or $82.19/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $86KTop 10% $320K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.7%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4,200141,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025141.9K
- Projected 2035150K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 141.9K Projected 2035 150K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Doctorate61.9%
- Post-doctoral training38.1%
Highest education held by dentists, general Segment Value Doctorate 61.9% Post-doctoral training 38.1%
Also advertised as: Forensic Dentist, Forensic Dental Consultant, Board Certified Forensic Odontologist, Dental Identification Specialist.
Pay
How much do Dentists, General make?
Every forensic odontologist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$170,950
Middle half earn $125,710 to $224,040
- 10th
- $86,250
- 25th
- $125,710
- 75th
- $224,040
- 90th
- $319,630
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $86,250 |
| 25th | $125,710 |
| Median | $170,950 |
| 75th | $224,040 |
| 90th | $319,630 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $170,950
- Median hourly wage
- $82.19/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $191,350
- People employed
- 124,390
Versus all US occupations
At $170,950, Dentists, General earn 235% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $119,970 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $102,760, this is 66% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $319,630 or more while the bottom 10% earn $86,250, a gap of 3.7×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 95% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Alaska posts the highest raw median ($230,990), but once local prices are taken into account North Dakota leads at $248,047 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Dentists, General the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Alaska | $230,990 | $225,667 | 310 |
| 2North Dakota | $220,660 | $248,047 | 260 |
| 3Minnesota | $219,200 | $222,265 | 2,370 |
| 4Tennessee | $215,290 | $234,342 | 2,200 |
| 5Oregon | $211,690 | $204,806 | 1,660 |
| 6Maine | $209,200 | $215,559 | 310 |
| 7North Carolina | $207,000 | $219,452 | 4,140 |
| 8Georgia | $206,760 | $214,720 | 2,620 |
| 9Missouri | $204,960 | $225,685 | 2,440 |
| 10Vermont | $204,960 | $209,233 | 240 |
Job outlook
Is Forensic Odontologist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Dentists, General | +5.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Dentists, General to change 5.7% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 8,100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 4,200 openings are projected each year, 3.0% of the 141,900 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Forensic Odontologist
You first become a licensed dentist, which means a DDS or DMD from a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and state licensure. Forensic training comes through continuing education courses, fellowship programs and volunteering with a medical examiner or coroner's office to build case experience.
The American Board of Forensic Odontology certifies diplomates who meet case experience requirements and pass written and practical exams. Many odontologists also join disaster response teams such as the federal Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team. Nearly all practitioners keep a clinical dental practice and take forensic cases as consultants.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Doctoral or professional degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as dentists, general.
- Doctoral Degree61.9%
- Post-Doctoral Training38.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 61.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 38.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Forensic Odontologist do?
Forensic odontologists apply dentistry to legal questions. Their most common job is identification: comparing the teeth, fillings, crowns and X-rays of unidentified remains with dental records of missing people. This matters most when remains are burned, decomposed or skeletal, and in mass fatality incidents where dental teams work alongside medical examiners.
They also estimate age from tooth development, which can matter in immigration and juvenile cases, and they document and evaluate injuries in suspected abuse cases. Bite mark comparison is part of the field's history, but it has come under serious scientific criticism, and many practitioners now treat it with great caution. Odontologists write reports and testify as expert witnesses.
Day-to-day tasks
- Chart and X-ray the teeth of unidentified remains
- Compare postmortem dental findings with antemortem dental records
- Estimate age from tooth development and wear
- Document and photograph oral and facial injuries in abuse cases
- Assist dental identification teams in mass fatality incidents
- Write forensic reports for medical examiners and coroners
- Testify as an expert witness on dental evidence
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Most forensic odontologists run or work in a dental practice and are called in by medical examiners, coroners or police when a case arises. Casework takes place in morgues, labs and sometimes disaster sites, and can involve difficult remains. Calls can come at short notice, and testimony requires court time.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Active Learning4.0
- Monitoring4.0
- Science3.6
- Writing3.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 4.0 |
| Monitoring | 4.0 |
| Science | 3.6 |
| Writing | 3.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Judgment and Decision Making4.1
- Social Perceptiveness4.0
- Service Orientation4.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Coordination3.8
- Time Management3.8
- Management of Personnel Resources3.6
- Persuasion3.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.0 |
| Service Orientation | 4.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 |
| Coordination | 3.8 |
| Time Management | 3.8 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 3.6 |
| Persuasion | 3.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Forensic Odontologist?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code IRS) built on O*NET's Dentist profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Forensic Odontologist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 5 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative5.6
- Realistic5.3
- Social4.5
- Conventional3.7
- Enterprising2.0
- Artistic1.2
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Forensic Odontologist
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More healthcare practitioners and technical careers
Median annual pay, with dentists, general highlighted
- Anesthesiologist$391,490
- Forensic Odontologist$170,950
- Physician Assistant$135,880
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300
- Physical Therapist$102,760
- Dental Hygienist$98,100
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$96,590
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$80,110
- Surgical Technologist$64,650
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist | $391,490 |
| Forensic Odontologist | $170,950 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 |
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician | $80,110 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Forensic Odontologist appears on
Questions
Forensic Odontologist: frequently asked questions
How much do Dentists, General make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for dentists, general. It counts them within dentist, whose median pay is $170,950 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $125,710 and $224,040, and the top 10% earn $319,630 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Forensic Odontologist?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Dentists, General. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 61.9% hold doctoral degree.
Is Forensic Odontologist a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.7% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 4,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Forensic Odontologist do?
Forensic odontologists apply dentistry to legal questions. A typical task: chart and X-ray the teeth of unidentified remains. Employers most often ask for Medical software, Office suite software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Dentists, General the most?
The highest state medians for Dentists, General are Alaska ($230,990), North Dakota ($220,660), Minnesota ($219,200) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, North Dakota moves to the top at $248,047.
What personality type suits a Forensic Odontologist?
O*NET scores Dentists, General highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Social interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.