Dental Shift
Salary guides · 2026

Dental salary guides for Australia.

What every dental role actually earns in Australia — hourly bands, annual salaries, city-by-city benchmarks and how locum / casual rates compare to permanent. Sourced from live Dental Shift booking data, refreshed quarterly.

What's in each salary guide

  • Median annual + hourly pay for the role in 2026
  • Pay bands by experience (entry → senior → locum)
  • City benchmarks across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra
  • Loadings: casual, weekend, public holiday, short-notice and specialty premiums
  • Career pathway and current market context

Pick a role

Dental Assistant salary

Median $62,000 · $28 – $50 / hr

Range $50,000 – $78,0006 cities5 experience bands

Dental Hygienist salary

Median $98,000 · $60 – $120 / hr

Range $80,000 – $130,0006 cities5 experience bands

Dentist salary

Median $180,000 (general associate) · $120 – $250 / hr

Range $120,000 – $400,000+6 cities6 experience bands

Locum Dentist salary

Median $320,000 (full-time metro general) · $120 – $260 / hr

Range $220,000 – $480,000+ (full-time locum)6 cities6 experience bands

Oral Health Therapist salary

Median $96,000 · $45 – $115 / hr

Range $78,000 – $128,0005 cities5 experience bands

Dental Receptionist salary

Median $62,000 · $28 – $45 / hr

Range $52,000 – $78,0005 cities5 experience bands

Practice Manager salary

Median $98,000 · $40 – $75 / hr (interim)

Range $75,000 – $145,000+5 cities5 experience bands
Questions

Frequently asked questions

Where do these dental salary numbers come from?
Live Dental Shift booking data (hourly rates clinics actually pay), cross-checked against current AU permanent role advertisements and AHPRA workforce data. We refresh the bands quarterly.
Do the figures include superannuation?
No. All annual figures exclude superannuation (11.5% for FY25, rising to 12% from 1 July 2025). Hourly rates are pre-tax and exclude super unless the engagement specifically bundles it.
Why are locum rates higher than the permanent equivalent?
Locum / casual hourly rates roll in the ~25% casual loading and a short-notice / flexibility premium, and exclude paid leave and super on top. Net of those costs, full-time locums with steady utilisation typically come out ahead — but only with steady utilisation.
Which dental role pays the most in Australia?
Specialist dentists (endo, OMS, ortho, perio) sit at the top of the pay band, followed by principal dentists / practice owners. Among non-clinician roles, multi-site dental practice managers reach $130k–$180k+.
How do I use these guides as a clinic?
Use the per-role bands as a starting point when you post a shift. Dental Shift lets workers set their own hourly floor — the bands here tell you what's realistic before you over- or under-price the booking.