Endodontist Salary 2025: Average Pay, State Comparisons, and Career Outlook

Key Statistics

• Median Salary: ~$420,000 annually

• 25th Percentile: ~$400,000

• 75th Percentile: ~$765,000

• Maximum Reporting: ~$880,000

• Total Reports Analyzed: 5 verified salary submissions

Career Satisfaction

• Average Satisfaction Rating: ~3.8 out of 5 (high overall job satisfaction, physicians mention the variety of cases and patient relationships as the most rewarding aspects of their job)

• Would Choose Again: 100% of endodontists would choose the specialty again

National Endodontist Salary Overview

According to SalaryDr latest data, the median salary in 2025 is around $420,000, with the average endodontist salary being $533,000 across all reported incomes. The distribution is wide, though: the 25th percentile is $400,000 and the 75th percentile is $765,000.

For early career specialists, the entry-level pay is set at $300,000 per year. This is the transition years after fellowship, when new endodontists are building their referral networks or working in DSOs. By mid-career, salaries climb in the $350,000-$400,000 range, especially for those in private practice. At the senior level, endodontists with more than 10 years of experience report an average endodontist salary of above $680,000. That is the financial upside of specialization.

External sources provide more context. The BLS reports a mean wage of about $244 per hour for dental specialists. This figure is capped and often undercounts total earnings due to production bonuses and practice ownership profits.

On ZipRecruiter, national endodontist salaries range from $309,000 to $366,000, while Glassdoor estimates a higher average of $564,000 based on more than 50 reported salaries.

Key takeaway: In 2025, the endodontist income tends to exceed $400,000 nationwide. Those with more experience, in private practice or working in high-demand regions are more likely to expect salaries in the upside of $680,000.

Image from SalaryDr

Endodontist Salary by State

Among the available datasets, Tennessee stands out. A senior solo endodontist in Nashville reports the highest verified endodontist salary 2025 with $880,000. This is the income potential for experienced specialists who own their practice in markets with low specialist competition.

For comparison, a one-year associate in New York working for a Dental Service Organization reports $200,000 for part-time hours, so corporate models and urban saturation can crush salaries even in high-cost states.

The salary submission range for California spans from $420,000 for a five-year solo practitioner to $765,000 for a group practice associate with one year of experience. External data support California’s reputation as one of the top-paying states, with an estimated average annual earnings of around $444,000 (HireSmiles), which is in line with the upper range of dentists overall.

Looking beyond the verified data, dentist salary data on SalaryDr helps see the bigger picture. According to the dentist salary by state data, the highest-paying states for general dentists are:

• California

• Texas

• Delaware

• New Jersey

It is reasonable to assume endodontists in these states also earn higher-than-average salaries, given the demand for specialized services.

By comparison, states like Indiana, Ohio, and Mississippi are at the bottom of the dentist pay scale, and supplemental data indicate that endodontist salaries in these states range from $220,000 to $260,000, which is significantly below the national average.

Key takeaway: Location matters as much as career stage. Endodontists in high-demand states with fewer specialists can earn upwards of $500,000 or more, while those in crowded metropolitan areas may see their salaries compressed.

Endodontist Salaries in Major U.S. Metros

Just as the endodontist salary by state averages show big differences, metro areas reveal how the cost of living and market saturation affect the real value of an endodontist income.

Nashville

SalaryDr verified salary data show extreme situations. In Nashville, a solo endodontist reports earning $880,000 annually. With a moderate cost of living compared to coastal cities, this is one of the most financially friendly metros for senior practitioners.

NYC

On the other end is New York City. SalaryDr lists a DSO-employed endodontist making $200,000 annually for part-time hours, while ZipRecruiter estimates the metro median salary at $263,865, with most endodontist salaries between $109,000 and $389,000. While demand for dental specialists is high, the sheer number of endodontists in the city, combined with corporate employment models, reduces the endodontist income compared to the extremely high cost of housing and practice overhead.

Los Angeles & San Francisco

Los Angeles is more balanced. The median is around $360,000, with top earners ranking at $488,000. While housing costs are among the highest in the country, endodontists in SoCal have a big referral base and high procedure volumes. Similarly, the San Francisco Bay Area reports similar salaries around $380,000-$400,000. However, the sky-high costs of living and practice overhead reduce the take-home pay significantly.

Midwestern Metros: Chicago & Minneapolis

Midwestern metros have a lower endodontist salary range but higher affordability. In Chicago, the average endodontist salary is around $280,000. Minneapolis records $252,000, and Indianapolis $231,000. While these salaries are below the national average, the housing and overhead costs are way cheaper than coastal metros, so the endodontist income goes further.

The bottom line: Location matters not just to gross pay, but also to living costs. See how major metros compare for endodontist salary on SalaryDr.com.

Endodontist Salary Vs Dentist and Other Dental Specialties

For dental students as well as practising dentists, one of the most commonly asked questions is how much specialists earn compared to their generalist peers.

Endodontist Salary vs Dentist

SalaryDr.com estimates the median endodontist salary in 2025 to be $420,000, with an average of over $530,000 across verified salary submissions. By comparison, general dentists report a national median salary of $185,240, with an average annual salary of $200,000 to $220,000. The typical endodontist earns over twice as much as a general dentist.

General Dentistry Salary

Comparisons with dental specialties vs general dentistry reveal a much more nuanced picture.

Prosthodontists

Prosthodontists, who specialize in restorative dentistry and implants, typically earn between $220,000 and $250,000, which places them closer to general dentists than to other high-earning specialists.

Orthodontists

Orthodontists, who focus on alignment and bite correction, report median salaries in the $300,000-$350,000 range. While this is lower than that of endodontists, there’s no denying that lucrative practices in affluent areas can reach much higher incomes.

Maxillofacial Surgeons

At the higher end of the dental spectrum, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, who work in complex surgical procedures, drive median salaries well above $400,000. According to SalaryDr and BLS data, many oral surgeons earn over $450,000 per year, with some reporting incomes closer to $500,000 in high-demand regions.

Key takeaway: Overall, the comparison reveals the value of endodontist training. While oral surgeons remain the highest earners in dentistry, endodontist income is significantly higher than that of general dentists and prosthodontists. It typically edges out orthodontists, but location and practice settings can change the result.

Practice Setting Considerations

Practice setting is a major factor in these salary comparisons.

Private Practice Groups: Endodontists in private practice, whether as owners or partners, typically report some of the highest salaries, as they directly benefit from production and case volume. The difference between a salaried associate role and a high-volume private partnership can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

Hospital-Employed Positions: In comparison, endodontists in DSO environments, who typically enjoy stability, predictable hours, and reduced administrative responsibilities, tend to report salaries on the lower end of the range.

Academic Medical Centers: Prosthodontists and endodontists who work in university-affiliated clinics or training programs tend to earn lower salaries than their private-sector peers. While compensation may hover in the $180,000-$220,000 range in academic settings, these roles often offer trade-offs, such as research opportunities, lighter clinical loads, and job security.

You can explore more endodontist practice setting salaries on SalaryDr.

Training to Become an Endodontist

Behind the big salary is a long and tough training road. Becoming an endodontist takes years of focused education and clinical experience after high school, as the journey typically takes 10-11 years before you can practice on your own.

#1. Undergraduate Education (4 years)

Future endodontists start with a bachelor’s degree, often in biology, chemistry, or another science-heavy major. Coursework in anatomy, physiology, and microbiology lays the foundation for dental school admission. Strong GPAs and competitive scores on the Dental Admission Test (DAT) are key to getting into a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program.

#2. Dental School (4 years)

Dental school provides broad clinical and academic training. Students spend the first two years in classrooms and labs learning oral anatomy, pathology, and pharmacology. The last two years are patient care through supervised clinical rotations.

#3. Endodontic Residency (2-3 years)

Specialty training in endodontics is done in an accredited residency program. Residents focus exclusively on diagnosing and treating dental pulp disorders, performing root canal therapy, microsurgery, and retreatment of complex cases. Stipends for residents vary but are modest, around $50,000 to $70,000 a year, far below attending-level salaries.

#4. Board Certification and Licensure

Graduates must pass the licensing exams in their state and may choose to get certified by the American Board of Endodontics (ABE). While not required, board certification shows clinical excellence and is valued in both private and academic settings.

Endodontist Career Outlook

The 2025 career outlook for endodontists is steady and promising, as demand is expected to grow in line with broader trends in dentistry. According to the BLS, dentists are expected to experience a 4% growth from 2022 to 2032, the same as the national average for all occupations. The specialized skill set means a steady stream of referrals from general dentists who want to outsource complex root canals and microsurgery.

Looking ahead, several trends will shape the career landscape. The rise of DSOs is changing practice models. More specialists are working in salaried, corporate positions with predictable schedules, but often with lower income ceilings than in private practices.

At the same time, technology, such as cone-beam CT imaging, digital workflow integrations, and new biocompatible materials, is making endodontic procedures more efficient and expanding treatment options. These advancements not only improve patient outcomes but also practice efficiency, which means they create room for more productivity for endodontists.

Key takeaway: The endodontist career outline in 2025 is a specialty that’s here to stay and in demand. For dental professionals considering this path, the long term is good financially and professionally.

Refer to SalaryDr for more information on the current endodontist income in 2025.

Data from SalaryDr

Is Becoming an Endodontist Worth It?

For many dental students and general dentists, the question of whether to specialize comes down to balancing the years of additional schooling and debt against the long-term financial and lifestyle benefits.

The Financial Investment

The path to becoming an endodontist typically requires 10-11 years of training:

• 4 years of undergraduate study

• 4 years of dental school

• 2-3 years of residency

According to the American Dental Education Association, the average dental school debt now ranges between $200,000 and $400,000, with some graduates carrying even more. During residency, stipends are modest, which means more residents rely on loans or savings to bridge the gap.

The ROI of Endodontistry

The payoff is significant. SalaryDr data shows a median endodontist salary of $420,000, with an average of $533,000, while experienced practitioners are earning upwards of $700,000 annually. Over the course of a career, the income compensates for the years of training and the accumulated debt.

Pros of Becoming an Endodontist

• High Earning Potential: salaries well above most dental specialties

• Predictable Demand: general dentists frequently refer out complex procedures

• Professional Satisfaction: With a satisfaction score of 3.8 out 5, 100% of endodontists are saying they would choose the specialty again

• Mangeable Hours: The average reported workload is about 33 hours per week, which leaves room for work-life balance. Common issues, such as burnout, aren’t frequently seen among endodontists.

Cons of Becoming an Endodontist

• High Upfront Debt Burden: $200,000 to $400,000 is coming

• Extended Training Timeline: Specialist don’t reach peak earnings until their mid-30s

• Income Variability: Endodontist income varies dramatically by geography and practice settings.

• Corporate Employment Trade-Off: The stability of DSO cap salaries below levels seen in private practices.

Is endodontist salary worth it? For those committed to the speciality, the answer is yes. Despite the financial and time investment, this remains one of the most rewarding dental career paths in 2025.

Highest Paying States and Cities in 2025

Geography plays one of the biggest roles in endodontist compensation. SalaryDr and supplemental data highlight clear leaders and outliers in 2025.

Tennessee

• SalaryDr’s highest verified submission: $880,000 annually for a senior solo practitioner in Nashville.

• Reflects strong demand and less specialist competition in mid-sized markets.

California

• Reported salaries range from $420,000 (early career) to $765,000 (group practice associate).

• Large patient base and referral networks sustain above-average incomes, though high living costs reduce take-home pay.

New York

• SalaryDr submission: $200,000 annually for part-time DSO work.

• ZipRecruiter average: $263,865 across the metro area.

• Market saturation and corporate structures suppress earnings despite high costs of living.

Key takeaway: While the median endodontist salary in 2025 remains strong nationwide, the choice of state and practice model can result in significant differences. Specialists in less saturated regions with independent practices often capture the highest incomes, while urban corporate roles typically pay less.

Conclusion

In summary, endodontics is one of the highest-paying specialties in dentistry, with median salaries in the half-million-dollar range nationwide. Highest paying states report average salaries above $400,000, and some regions offer significantly higher pay to attract and retain talent, especially in private settings.

Endodontists also report a high job satisfaction and work-life balance, with 100% of endodontists claiming they would choose the same career path for the rewarding professional fulfillment and the high compensation. Overall, the data demonstrate that endodontics is a profitable, enjoyable, and gratifying career choice, which will remain in demand in the future.

FAQ

How much does an endodontist make in 2025?

The median endodontist salary in 2025 is $420,000, with an average of $533,000. Early career specialists can expect to earn around $300,000, while senior practitioners in private practices can earn $700,000 and more.

What state pays endodontists the most?

As per the verified SalaryDr submissions, the highest salary comes from Tennessee, with over $800,000. California also ranks highly in terms of yearly salary.

How does endodontist salary compare to dentist salary?

Endodontists earn about twice as much as general dentists, if not more, depending on settings.

Is becoming an endodontist worth it?

100% of endodontists say they would choose the same dental specialty again for its ROI, work-life balance, reliable demand, and career satisfaction.

What is the career outline for endodontists?

The outlook is steady, and demand is expected to grow about 4% by 2032.