All dental clinics need to run smoothly. Every day, there’s a constant stream of patients, and each patient needs to receive excellent care. Appointments need to run to schedule so no one is left waiting longer than necessary, and the phone needs to be answered quickly, by someone knowledgeable and organized, to answer questions, book appointments, and provide advice.
A dental receptionist needs to be methodical, efficient, and an excellent multi-tasker. They need to be a superb communicator with a friendly manner, both in person and on the phone. They must be calm under pressure, and capable of dealing with complaints and grievances effectively without losing their cool or becoming overly stressed by difficult situations.
Everything must be just so. Dental records will need to be kept up to date, the appointment schedule must run as planned, and be adapted to accommodate any cancellations or emergency appointments.
There’s certainly a lot involved, so how much does a dental receptionist make?
A broad look at dental receptionist annual earnings
The salary of a dental receptionist can differ quite widely, due to a number of factors, but let’s get right down to some figures so we have a starting point to work from.
Overall, dental receptionist is one of the customer service positions with a higher earning potential, so it’s certainly a decent career to consider if you enjoy working with the public.
The salary for a dental receptionist in the US can vary from around $33,000, hitting a maximum rate of around $50,000.
The factors that influence the salary of a dental receptionist
So why is there such a difference in salary for essentially performing the same job? Well, there are a number of reasons for this disparity. Let’s take a look at some of them…
Location
As with many jobs, the salary can differ depending on the area where the job is located. The more affluent the area, in general, the higher the salaries in that region.
Of course, prices can vary across all aspects of life, so it usually balances out. In lower paying regions, you may earn less, but it’s likely your outgoings will be lower too, as property prices, eating out, and day to day shopping all cost less than in pricier areas that offer higher wages.
Here’s what you could expect to make as a receptionist in each state as of 2025. Dental receptionists often fall into the Senior/Specialist category seen below.
| State | Entry Level Roles | Senior/Specialist Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $37,557 | $43,000 |
| Alaska | $44,504 | $51,000 |
| Arizona | $39,804 | $45,500 |
| Arkansas | $37,230 | $42,500 |
| California | $45,076 | $51,700 |
| Colorado | $41,684 | $47,800 |
| Connecticut | $43,891 | $50,400 |
| Delaware | $41,480 | $47,500 |
| Florida | $38,823 | $44,400 |
| Georgia | $39,518 | $45,200 |
| Hawaii | $42,706 | $49,000 |
| Idaho | $38,129 | $43,600 |
| Illinois | $41,807 | $47,900 |
| Indiana | $39,641 | $45,300 |
| Iowa | $39,110 | $44,700 |
| Kansas | $38,905 | $44,500 |
| Kentucky | $38,456 | $43,900 |
| Louisiana | $38,864 | $44,400 |
| Maine | $39,763 | $45,500 |
| Maryland | $42,134 | $48,300 |
| Massachusetts | $44,463 | $51,000 |
| Michigan | $40,336 | $46,200 |
| Minnesota | $41,807 | $47,900 |
| Mississippi | $36,453 | $41,800 |
| Missouri | $38,946 | $44,500 |
| Montana | $38,170 | $43,600 |
| Nebraska | $38,497 | $44,000 |
| Nevada | $41,030 | $47,000 |
| New Hampshire | $41,562 | $47,600 |
| New Jersey | $44,790 | $51,400 |
| New Mexico | $37,679 | $43,200 |
| New York | $43,564 | $50,000 |
| North Carolina | $39,232 | $44,800 |
| North Dakota | $40,458 | $46,400 |
| Ohio | $39,968 | $45,600 |
| Oklahoma | $37,802 | $43,300 |
| Oregon | $41,521 | $47,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,785 | $46,600 |
| Rhode Island | $42,665 | $48,300 |
| South Carolina | $38,578 | $44,100 |
| South Dakota | $36,739 | $42,000 |
| Tennessee | $37,843 | $43,400 |
| Texas | $40,009 | $45,700 |
| Utah | $38,864 | $44,400 |
| Vermont | $40,090 | $45,800 |
| Virginia | $40,989 | $46,900 |
| Washington | $44,054 | $50,600 |
| West Virginia | $36,780 | $42,100 |
| Wisconsin | $40,376 | $46,300 |
| Wyoming | $37,500 | $43,000 |
Note: These figures are approximate and intended for general guidance. Actual earnings can vary based on specific qualifications, experience, demand, and regional economic conditions.
Size of practice
Businesses can only pay salaries that they can afford. A multinational chain of dental clinics treating thousands of patients is more likely to be in a position to pay its dental receptionists a higher wage, than a modest independent clinic serving a small local population.
It may also be the case that the workload is less, and so the salary is lower to reflect this.
Or it may be that the dental clinic is open for shorter hours than a busier clinic in a big city, and so the receptionist will only work part-time, and therefore earn less than their full-time counterparts in the larger clinics.
Experience
A dental practice may pay higher salaries to staff with more experience.
Over time, as a dental receptionist becomes more skilled, wages are likely to increase, but initially, salaries can start low to reflect the time needed for training and the abilities of the employee.
The starting salary of a dental receptionist with a wealth of reception or customer service experience is likely to be higher than that of someone fresh from college, or with no prior relevant experience.
Qualifications
Having related qualifications and certifications relevant to being a receptionist can also command a higher salary.
It reassures employees that you are competent and well-trained, and it is also a source of distinction that can be mentioned on the clinic’s website or promotional materials.
How to improve your chances of securing a high salary as a dental receptionist
If you’ve chosen a career as a dental receptionist, or it’s something you’d like to pursue, then of course you’ll want to maximize your earning potential, so let’s look at some ways in which you can increase your chances of earning a higher salary…
Extend your job search area
As we’ve discussed, salaries can vary wildly, depending on the dental clinic you work for, and the area within which it is located.
So you need to weigh up whether you would be prepared to travel further each day, or even relocate, to earn a higher salary.
Get more experience
Salaries are often determined by experience, so if you’re new to this career, you may find you can secure a better starting salary if you first take on some related work, so your resume better showcases your abilities.
Of course, a decade spent working as a dental receptionist would put you at a great advantage, but any related experience will help you too.
Study what a dental receptionist does and upskill in these areas. You may already have this experience. Anything in customer service is certainly advantageous, and this is the type of work many of us have undertaken during our college years.
Customer service work is not too hard to find, and even just a few hours work covering a busy weekend shift on a hotel reception, or a few hours in the evenings answering the telephone in a call centre will all enhance your resume and put you in a position to ask for a salary that takes into account your experience.
Take training and earn certification
You can’t ask for a high salary if you don’t know what you’re doing, and you’re going to need extensive training in order to do your job properly.
By taking a receptionist course that covers all aspects of the work of a receptionist, you can step straight into the role and get on with the job, competently and efficiently.
When you select a course to take, be sure to choose one that offers certification, as this gives you the perfect way to prove your credentials and make your resume stand out from the crowd.
Ask for a pay review
Once you’ve got a job as a dental receptionist, and you’ve proved that you’re a highly capable asset to the business, don’t be afraid to ask for a pay review.
They might say no, but on the other hand, it might make your employers realize that you’re due a pay rise, and so they will increase your salary.
Ask politely, don’t be pushy, and don’t give ultimatums. If a raise in salary is not possible, you may then want to begin looking elsewhere, for a step up the career ladder. Because of course, you’re more highly experienced than ever now, and your chances of securing a highly paid dental receptionist position are better than ever!
