Dentist salary Sydney: where it sits against the Australian full-time average
If you are looking at a dentist salary in Sydney, the most reliable starting point is the national data for dental practitioners. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia publish earnings information for the occupation, but a Sydney-specific figure is not available. This article uses the national median for dental practitioners and the New South Wales state average to give you a clear picture of how dentist pay compares to the Australian full-time average.
The national median for dental practitioners
Jobs and Skills Australia reports that the median full-time weekly earnings for dental practitioners (including dentists and dental specialists) was $3,232 per week as of May 2025. That translates to about $168,064 a year before tax, assuming a 52-week year. The median hourly earnings are $85 per hour, based on an average full-time week of 42 hours.
This figure is a median for the occupation, meaning half of full-time dental practitioners earn more and half earn less. It is not an average. It also includes dental specialists such as orthodontists, who typically earn more than general dentists.
How that compares to the national full-time average
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 puts the national full-time adult ordinary-time average at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year. That is the figure this site uses as the line. The dentist median of $3,232 per week is about 55% higher than that average.
For context, the national full-time median for all occupations is $1,852 per week (from the same Jobs and Skills Australia table), and the all-employees median (including part-time) is $1,425 per week (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). Dentists earn well above both of those benchmarks.
What about Sydney specifically?
There is no published salary figure for dentists in Sydney alone. The closest geographic benchmark is the New South Wales full-time adult ordinary-time average, which from the ABS May 2026 data is $2,108.80 per week (about $109,658 a year). That is slightly above the national average, reflecting higher wages in NSW generally.
If a dentist in Sydney earns the national median for the occupation, they would be earning about $3,232 per week, which is roughly 53% above the NSW state average. However, actual earnings in Sydney could be higher or lower depending on factors such as experience, specialisation, and whether the dentist works in the public or private sector.
Other earnings benchmarks to consider
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work). Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date. Dentist earnings are far above the minimum wage.
For tax purposes in 2026–27, the tax-free threshold is $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy of 2% applies before any reductions. A dentist earning $168,064 would fall into the 37% tax bracket (plus Medicare levy).
Where to get more detail
You can place a salary on the line to see how any figure compares to the national full-time average. For state-by-state benchmarks, see our states and territories page. If you are looking at other occupations, the job medians page lists median earnings for hundreds of roles. For industry-specific data, visit industry medians.
Limitations of the data
The dentist median comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, and is for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. It excludes managers, part-time workers, and those paid at junior rates. The national full-time average from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey is for May 2026 and covers all full-time adults. The two surveys use different methodologies, so direct comparisons should be treated as indicative rather than precise.
No Sydney-specific dentist salary is published by the ABS or any other official source. If you need a figure for a specific role or location, you may need to consult industry surveys or job advertisements.
Summary
A dentist salary in Sydney is likely to be well above the Australian full-time average. The national median for dental practitioners is $3,232 per week, compared to the national average of $2,083.70 per week. The New South Wales state average is $2,108.80 per week. While a precise Sydney figure is not available, the national median provides a strong reference point. For more information on how salaries are measured, see how the figures are set and about this site.