Dentist salary in Australia: Queensland Health's published dental officer and dental specialist scales from 1 September 2026, what dentists actually earned according to the ATO, and take-home pay in 2026–27.
A public dentist in Queensland Health earns $133,915 to $204,981 a year, and a dental specialist $196,842 to $252,437. The ATO median for dentists was $95,289 in 2023-24.
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and gums. Most work in private practice, as owners, employees or contractors paid a share of the fees they bill. Public dentists work in hospital and community dental clinics with a set salary scale.
Queensland Health dentist salary
Dental officers (DO) and dental specialists (DS), from 1 September 2026. Annual = fortnightly rate × 26.089.
| Level and pay point | Per fortnight | Per year | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Officer Level 1 (DO1.1) | $5,133.00 | $133,915 | $3,867 |
| Dental Officer Level 1 (DO1.2) | $5,515.00 | $143,881 | $4,104 |
| Dental Officer Level 1 (DO1.3) | $5,972.00 | $155,804 | $4,383 |
| Dental Officer Level 2 (DO2.1) | $6,144.00 | $160,291 | $4,489 |
| Dental Officer Level 2 (DO2.2) | $6,320.00 | $164,882 | $4,596 |
| Dental Officer Level 2 (DO2.3) | $6,772.00 | $176,675 | $4,873 |
| Dental Officer Level 3 (DO3.1) | $7,021.00 | $183,171 | $5,026 |
| Dental Officer Level 3 (DO3.2) | $7,227.00 | $188,545 | $5,152 |
| Dental Officer Level 4 (DO4.1) | $7,545.00 | $196,842 | $5,325 |
| Dental Officer Level 4 (DO4.2) | $7,857.00 | $204,981 | $5,491 |
| Dental Specialist Level 1 (DS1.1) | $7,545.00 | $196,842 | $5,325 |
| Dental Specialist Level 1 (DS1.2) | $7,857.00 | $204,981 | $5,491 |
| Dental Specialist Level 1 (DS1.3) | $8,172.00 | $213,199 | $5,659 |
| Dental Specialist Level 1 (DS1.4) | $8,485.00 | $221,365 | $5,825 |
| Dental Specialist Level 1 (DS1.5) | $8,802.00 | $229,635 | $5,994 |
| Dental Specialist Level 2 (DS2.1) | $9,118.00 | $237,880 | $6,162 |
| Dental Specialist Level 2 (DS2.2) | $9,433.00 | $246,098 | $6,329 |
| Dental Specialist Level 2 (DS2.3) | $9,676.00 | $252,437 | $6,459 |
What dentists actually earn
| Occupation (ATO) | People | Median | Average | Median, men | Median, women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentist | 8,859 | $95,289 | $108,448 | $111,957 | $81,727 |
| Dental specialist | 1,045 | $89,440 | $126,764 | $111,102 | $72,349 |
ATO Taxation Statistics 2023-24, Table 15A: salary or wage only, including part-timers. Dentists who own their practice or work as contractors report business income instead, so it isn't in these figures.
See also dental hygienist salary, dental assistant pay rates and Queensland Health pay rates.
Common questions
How much does a dentist earn in Australia?
Public dentists in Queensland Health start at $133,915 a year (Dental Officer Level 1) from 1 September 2026, rising to $204,981 at Level 4. Many dentists are self-employed or paid a share of fees, so incomes vary widely: the ATO median salary or wage for dentists was $95,289 in 2023-24.
What does a graduate dentist earn?
A new dentist in Queensland Health starts at $133,915, about $3,867 a fortnight after tax in 2026–27.
How much do dental specialists earn?
Queensland Health pays dental specialists $196,842 to $252,437 a year. The ATO median for dental specialists was $89,440.
Is there an award for dentists?
No modern award covers dentists' pay rates. Private dentists are paid by agreement, often as a percentage of the fees they bill (commonly called a 'percentage' or 'contractor' arrangement).
Do dentists need to be registered?
Yes, with the Dental Board of Australia through Ahpra.
Source: Queensland Health dental stream wage rates (Health Practitioners and Dental Officers (Queensland Health) Certified Agreement (No.4) 2022); ATO Taxation Statistics 2023-24. Checked 2026-10-23. General information only.