Dentists · Annual report
WeGrow Dental Benchmarks 2026
Our annual snapshot of the numbers behind Australian dental careers and practices, drawn from the ranges we see regularly across WeGrow's dental clients. Dentists earn $120,000 to $150,000 early on and $160,000 to $300,000 from six years; associates are paid 25% to 45% of billings; healthy clinics make 10% to 20%; and practices sell for 70% to 120% of annual revenue.
By Inam Asiful
Senior Consultant, WeGrow Accountants · Director of a dental clinic in a metro region · Last reviewed 7 October 2026
Key points
- Dentist income: $120,000 to $150,000 (0 to 2 years) up to $160,000 to $300,000 (6+ years). Specialists $250,000 to $600,000.
- Associate rates: 25% to 45% of billings excluding lab fees; 35% is the emerging standard.
- Hourly billing targets: $450 to $650 (associates), $650 to $950 (owners).
- Revenue per chair: $500,000 to $1,200,000 for a dentist's chair.
- Sale prices: 70% to 120% of annual revenue, or 3 to 3.5 times EBITDA.
Income
| Experience | Annual income | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 2 years | $120,000 to $150,000 | |
| 3 to 5 years | $140,000 to $180,000 | |
| 6 to 10 years | $160,000 to $300,000 | |
| 10+ years | $160,000 to $300,000 | Most also have full or partial ownership of a clinic |
| Orthodontists and other specialists | $250,000 to $600,000 | Excludes business income from clinic ownership |
Location: metro vs regional matters more than which city. Our regional dentist clients do better on revenue and margin; Sydney metro does better on revenue than other metros, with higher costs. More in what dentists actually earn.
Associate rates and hourly targets
| Measure | Range |
|---|---|
| Associate rate (of billings, excluding lab fees) | 25% to 45%; norm 40%, emerging standard 35% |
| Hourly billing target, associate | $450 to $650 |
| Hourly billing target, owner | $650 to $950 |
Revenue per chair
| Who works the chair | Gross revenue a year |
|---|---|
| Dentist | $500,000 to $1,200,000 |
| Oral health therapist or hygienist | $250,000 to $600,000 |
Gross revenue (lab fees included), chair in use 5.5 days a week.
Practice cost ratios (share of revenue)
| Measure | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Profit margin (before interest) | 10% to 20% | After paying all dentists, including a market-rate wage for an owner-dentist. Healthy, established clinics only. |
| Support staff wages | 15% to 25% | Excludes dentists. Start-ups can run up to 40%; staying near that level is a warning sign. |
| Lab fees | 7% to 15% | Higher for clinics doing a lot of clear aligner work. |
| Consumables | 5% to 7% | Keep below 7%. |
| Rent | 3% to 5% | |
| Marketing (mostly Google and Meta ads) | 2% to 4% established; 20% to 25% new clinics | A cost that keeps growing. |
Owner pay
We generally advise owners to take a salary of 30% to 40% of the owner's own clinical billings, in line with an associate rate. See running a dental practice.
Sale multiples
| Method | Range |
|---|---|
| Share of annual revenue | 70% to 120% of annual revenue |
| Multiple of EBITDA (rule of thumb) | 3 to 3.5 times EBITDA |
Revenue range based on dental practice purchases we've worked on over the last three years. See how much a dental practice is worth.
Fit-out and equipment
| Item | Cost range |
|---|---|
| Fit-out only | $2,500 to $4,000 per square metre (fit-out only) |
| Chairs and equipment, single chair | $120,000 to $180,000 |
| Chairs and equipment, double chair | $150,000 to $220,000 |
| CBCT | $60,000 to $80,000 |
| 3D intraoral scanner | $25,000 to $55,000 |
Based on recent dental fit-outs we've been involved in. Equipment costs vary with the brands chosen.
Method and how to cite
These are the ranges WeGrow Accountants sees regularly across its dental clients, reviewed by Inam Asiful, Senior Consultant at WeGrow and Director of a dental clinic in a metro region. We publish ranges rather than averages, and some ranges rest on a small number of cases: sale prices on four practice purchases over three years, and fit-out costs on recent fit-outs we've been involved in. Last reviewed 7 October 2026; updated annually.
How to cite
WeGrow Dental Benchmarks 2026, WeGrow Accountants, wegrow.au/industries/dentists/benchmarks-2026/
Frequently asked questions
Where do these dental benchmarks come from?
They're the ranges WeGrow Accountants sees regularly across its dental clients, reviewed by Inam Asiful, who also co-owns and runs a dental clinic. They're ranges rather than averages, and no single client's figures are shown.
How often are the benchmarks updated?
Once a year. This is the 2026 edition; each figure carries the date it was last reviewed.
Can I quote these figures?
Yes. Please cite them as WeGrow Dental Benchmarks 2026, WeGrow Accountants, with a link to this page.
Want this applied to your numbers?
Book a free 30-minute consult. We'll go through where you are now and what we'd do next if we were in your shoes.
Related guides
What dentists actually earn in Australia
Income by experience, metro vs regional, specialists, and why hours and scope matter more than ownership.
Associate dentists: pay, ABN, tax and agreements
Percentage rates, lab fees, contractor vs employee, structure and what you can claim.
Running a dental practice: the numbers that matter
Profit margin, cost ratios, chair revenue, owner pay and the three numbers to watch weekly.
How much is a dental practice worth?
Multiples, the buyer question, and why records decide the price, with three scenarios.
Sources
- WeGrow client data: ranges we see regularly across our dental clients, reviewed by Inam Asiful (7 October 2026).
General information only, not tax, financial or legal advice. Figures are ranges from our client base and public sources as at 7 October 2026; your situation will differ. Talk to us before acting on anything here.