Money · 1 of 5
What dentists make
Typical associate
$160,000
First-year associate
$110,000
Practice owner
$300,000
Associates are paid a share of what they bill, often 35% to 45%. Owners keep what is left after staff, rent and equipment. Pay varies a lot by province and by how busy the clinic is. Job Bank's census-based figures are lower: a median of about $110,000 a year and a top end of about $228,000, pulled down by part-timers and new grads.