Prosthodontists earn a median of $311,180 per year ($149.61/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 5.8% through 2035 (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 29-1024
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Prosthodontist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $311,180a year, or $149.61/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $104KTop 10% $345K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.8%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 01,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20251K
- Projected 20351.1K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 1K Projected 2035 1.1K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Certificate2.9%
- Doctorate36.1%
- Post-doctoral training61%
Highest education held by prosthodontists Segment Value Certificate 2.9% Doctorate 36.1% Post-doctoral training 61%
Also advertised as: DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery), Dental Science Dr (Dental Science Doctor), Denturist, Maxillofacial Prosthodontist, Prosthetic Dentist, Prosthodontist.
Pay
How much do Prosthodontists make?
Every prosthodontist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$311,180
Middle half earn $252,050 to $333,480
- 10th
- $103,510
- 25th
- $252,050
- 75th
- $333,480
- 90th
- $344,750
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $103,510 |
| 25th | $252,050 |
| Median | $311,180 |
| 75th | $333,480 |
| 90th | $344,750 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $311,180
- Median hourly wage
- $149.61/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $268,630
- People employed
- 870
Versus all US occupations
At $311,180, Prosthodontists earn 510% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $260,200 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $102,760, this is 203% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $344,750 or more while the bottom 10% earn $103,510, a gap of 3.3×. 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 99% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Job outlook
Is Prosthodontist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Prosthodontists | +5.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Prosthodontists to change 5.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 100 more jobs.
Overall employment of dentists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand for dentists is expected to increase as larger numbers of older people require dental services. Because each generation is more likely to keep their teeth than the previous generation, more dental care is expected to be needed in the years to come. In addition, dentists will be needed to treat dentofacial injuries and other conditions as well as to perform restorative procedures to treat complications from oral disease, such as gum disease and oral cancer. The growing popularity of cosmetic dentistry also is expected to support demand for dentists.
Getting in
How to become a Prosthodontist
Dentists must be licensed in the state in which they work. Licensure requirements vary by state, although candidates usually must have a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry/Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from an accredited dental program and pass written and clinical exams. Dentists who practice in a specialty area must complete postdoctoral training.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Doctoral or professional degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Internship/residency
- 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 prosthodontists.
- Post-Doctoral Training61%
- Doctoral Degree36.1%
- Post-Secondary Certificate2.9%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Post-Doctoral Training | 61% |
| Doctoral Degree | 36.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 2.9% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Prosthodontist do?
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.
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of the teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health.
Day-to-day tasks
- Examine patients to diagnose oral health conditions and diseases.
- Fit prostheses to patients, making any necessary adjustments and modifications.
- 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.
- Repair, reline, or rebase dentures.
- Replace missing teeth and associated oral structures with permanent fixtures, such as implant-supported prostheses, crowns and bridges, or removable fixtures, such as dentures.
- Use bonding technology on the surface of the teeth to change tooth shape or to close gaps.
- Design and fabricate dental prostheses, or supervise dental technicians and laboratory bench workers who construct the devices.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Dentists’ work schedules vary. Some work evenings and weekends to meet their patients’ needs. Many dentists work less than 40 hours a week, although some work considerably more.
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 important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. 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
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Reading Comprehension3.6
- Monitoring3.6
- Writing3.4
- Science3.0
- Active Learning3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 |
| Monitoring | 3.6 |
| Writing | 3.4 |
| Science | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Social Perceptiveness3.6
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4
- Time Management3.3
- Instructing3.1
- Service Orientation3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Management of Personnel Resources3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.6 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.4 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Instructing | 3.1 |
| Service Orientation | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Medical software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging 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 Prosthodontist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Prosthodontist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 5 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Realistic6.2
- Investigative5.5
- Social4.6
- Conventional3.2
- Artistic1.8
- Enterprising1.4
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 Prosthodontist
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More healthcare practitioners and technical careers
Median annual pay, with prosthodontists highlighted
- Anesthesiologist$391,490
- Prosthodontist$311,180
- 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 |
| Prosthodontist | $311,180 |
| 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
Questions
Prosthodontist: frequently asked questions
How much do Prosthodontists make?
Prosthodontists earn a median of $311,180 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 510% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $149.61/hr. The middle half earn between $252,050 and $333,480. The top 10% earn $344,750 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Prosthodontist?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Prosthodontists. BLS also lists internship/residency as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 61.0% hold post-doctoral training.
Is Prosthodontist a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.8% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035).
What does a Prosthodontist do?
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. A core O*NET task: examine patients to diagnose oral health conditions and diseases. Employers most often ask for Medical software, Operating system software.
What personality type suits a Prosthodontist?
O*NET scores Prosthodontists highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Social interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.