Becoming an endodontist is a lot like becoming a dentist. You start out in a bachelor’s degree program before heading off to dental school, which means you're looking at an eight-year commitment. Because endodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry, you’ll go on to an advanced training program that focuses on the inside and roots of the teeth. Don't pout about the additional two years of training, however, because endodontists often earn six-figure salaries.
Salaries
In 2011, half of all endodontists -- as well as periodontists and oral pathologists -- earned at least $162,260 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bottom 10 percent of earners made almost half this amount, bringing in less than $81,810 a year. The top 10 percent made in excess of $187,199.
By Location
As with any job, location affects salaries. A survey by the Economic Research Institute found that endodontists working in New York City earned just more than $190,000 a year, as of 2013. Those working in Los Angeles made more than $183,000, while those in Dallas earned almost $175,000 annually. An endodontist in Phoenix, however, earns closer to the national median, making almost $162,000 a year.
By Setting
Your choice of employer can also influence your earnings -- sometimes even more so than location. At a dental office, for example, you could expect to earn almost $200,000 a year, according to the BLS. But at a physician’s office, salaries aren’t as high, where the average was about $144,000 a year. Hospitals pay just over $115,000 annually, while colleges and universities offer salaries around $88,000 a year.
Job Outlook
As a whole, dentists should experience relatively good job prospects. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities for employment will increase by about 21 percent from 2010 to 2020. But the outlook for dental specialists such as endodontists won’t be as bright, with a job growth rate of 12 percent. This is just slightly slower than the average for all U.S. occupations -- a projected 14 percent.
2016 Salary Information for Dentists
Dentists earned a median annual salary of $158,390 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, dentists earned a 25th percentile salary of $110,030, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $201,830, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 153,500 people were employed in the U.S. as dentists.
