A Breakdown of the 2020 Dental Practice Salary Survey

Although 2020 wasn’t a “normal” year by any stretch of the imagination, it’s still important to reflect and benchmark the dental profession in order to learn from the past and move forward. This year’s salary survey by DentalPost in partnership with RDH Magazine features results from more than 8,800 dental professionals about how they feel about compensation, benefits, work-life balance, and the future of modern dentistry. Here’s what you need to know.

Demographics

The more than 8,800 dental professionals who answered the survey included dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and front office staff/office managers. Conducted between June and September 2019, the study consisted of 30 questions that ranged from compensation to how employees felt about their roles in the dental community and the changes that have occurred in the industry.

Compensation

The survey asked respondents how satisfied they are with their overall pay. The results conclude 52% of dentists are satisfied with their overall pay, 44% of dental hygienists are satisfied with their overall pay and 31% of front-office employees are satisfied with their overall pay. The survey also covered employee benefits in more detail.

Generational impact

As the incoming generation of dental practice workers moves toward maintaining a healthy work-life balance, the survey notes different strategies and actionable approaches to hire and retain Boomers, Generation Xers, Millennials and Gen Zers. The survey takes it a step further to explain the role of gender and children under 18 in the household. There’s also a correlation among respondents regarding the rise of dental temping before committing to a dental office or job change.

Hours per week worked

The survey asked respondents if they were happy with their current weekly schedule, if they felt overworked and preferred to work fewer hours, or whether they would work more hours. 43% of dentists feel overworked and would prefer to work fewer hours, while only 6% would prefer to work more hours. 24% of dental hygienists feel overworked and would prefer to work fewer hours, with only 8% of respondents would prefer to work more hours. 60% of front-office employees are happy with their current weekly schedule, but 26% feel overworked and would prefer to work fewer hours.

Job change likelihood

The survey asked respondents if they were open to a job change within a year, trending toward more dental practice transitions. The results conclude 38% of dentists are open to a job change within a year, 43% of dental hygienists are open to a job change within a year, and 57% of front-office employees are open to a job change within a year. The survey also covered private practices versus dental service organizations in more detail.

What’s next?

Contact the experts at Professional Transition Strategies to find out how to increase job satisfaction at your dental practice or how to prepare for a dental practice transition.