How to compare a dentist salary: what reaches your bank account after tax

How to compare a dentist salary offer

When you receive a job offer as a dentist, the headline figure is only part of the story. What matters is the amount that lands in your bank account after tax, the Medicare levy, and any other deductions. This guide uses the latest public data from the Australian Taxation Office and Jobs and Skills Australia to help you compare offers.

The latest dentist salary figures

The Australian Taxation Office publishes tax-return data for dentists (occupation code 252312). For the 2023–24 income year, 8,859 dentists reported an average taxable income of $162,722 and a median of $131,588. Those who were paid a salary or wage had an average of $108,448 and a median of $95,289. These figures include part-time dentists and practice owners, so they are not a full-time salary rate.

Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time earnings for Dental Practitioners (ANZSCO 2523) at $3,232 a week, or $85 an hour. That works out to about $168,064 a year. This figure covers employees only and includes dental specialists. It is based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025.

What reaches your bank account

To compare offers, you need to estimate your take-home pay. Using the 2026–27 tax rates and the Medicare levy (2% for full-time earners), here are examples:

• Median salary or wage ($95,289): After income tax of $19,107 and Medicare levy of $1,906, you keep $74,276 a year, or $2,857 a fortnight. Super is paid on top at 12% on top of this amount.
• Median taxable income ($131,588: After tax of $29,996 and Medicare levy of $2,632, you keep $98,960 a year, or $3,806 a fortnight. Super is paid on top.
• **Full-time employee median ($168,064): After tax of $43,254 and Medicare levy of $3,361, you keep $121,449 a year, or $4,671 a fortnight.

These estimates are for a resident with no HELP debt, no Medicare levy surcharge, and no salary sacrifice. Use our Take-home pay tool to calculate your own situation.

Understanding the Medicare levy thresholds

The Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income for most full-time earners. The latest published single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If your taxable income is below $28,011, you pay no Medicare levy. Between $28,011 to $35,013, you pay a reduced rate. Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%. For a dentist earning well above these thresholds, the full 2% applies.

No award for private practice dentists

Fair Work confirms that no modern award covers dentists working for private dental practices. You are entitled to the national minimum wage ($26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week from 1 July 2026) and the National Employment Standards. If you are an employee, your employer must pay at least the minimum wage, but most dentists earn well above that. If you are a contractor or practice owner, different rules apply.

How to use this information

When comparing job offers, look at the total remuneration package: base salary, super (12% from 1 July 2026), and any benefits. Then calculate your after-tax income using the 2026–27 tax rates. Remember that super is not deducted from your take-home pay if the salary is quoted as 'plus super'. For a full breakdown of how tax works, see our Tax and Medicare guide.

Key takeaways

• The median full-time dentist salary is about $168,064 a year before tax.
• Take-home pay on that amount is about $121,449 a year, or $4,671 a fortnight.
• No award covers private practice dentists, but the national minimum wage applies.
• Always compare offers on an after-tax basis using your personal circumstances.

For more benchmarks, see our Benchmarks page. To check your own take-home pay, use the Clearance tool.