Jobs Similar to Dentists (General)
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to dentists (general), according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Prosthodontists, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Orthodontists.
Dentists (General): $170,950 median pay · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Dentists (General)) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ProsthodontistsSame group | 81% | $311,180+82% | Graduate degree |
| 2 | Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeonsSame group | 81% | $352,220+106% | Graduate degree |
| 3 | OrthodontistsSame group | 81% | $289,140+69% | Graduate degree |
| 4 | VeterinariansSame group | 80% | $130,100−24% | Graduate degree |
| 5 | PodiatristsSame group | 80% | $160,300−6% | Graduate degree |
| 6 | OptometristsSame group | 79% | $136,570−20% | Graduate degree |
| 7 | DermatologistsSame group | 79% | $328,730+92% | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsSame group | 78% | $292,910+71% | Graduate degree |
| 9 | UrologistsSame group | 77% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 10 | Nurse AnesthetistsSame group | 76% | $236,590+38% | Graduate degree |
| 11 | Ophthalmologists, Except PediatricSame group | 76% | $300,080+76% | Graduate degree |
| 12 | ChiropractorsSame group | 76% | $79,200−54% | Graduate degree |
| 13 | Allergists and ImmunologistsSame group | 76% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 14 | AnesthesiologistsSame group | 76% | $391,490+129% | Graduate degree |
| 15 | Acute Care NursesSame group | 75% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Sports Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 75% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 17 | Exercise PhysiologistsSame group | 75% | $59,460−65% | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | 75% | $50,290Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 19 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 75% | $256,560+50% | Graduate degree |
| 20 | Naturopathic PhysiciansSame group | 75% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
- 1Prosthodontists
81% similar · $311,180 (+82%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
81% similar · $352,220 (+106%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 3Orthodontists
81% similar · $289,140 (+69%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 4Veterinarians
80% similar · $130,100 (−24%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5Podiatrists
80% similar · $160,300 (−6%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 6Optometrists
79% similar · $136,570 (−20%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 7Dermatologists
79% similar · $328,730 (+92%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Obstetricians and Gynecologists
78% similar · $292,910 (+71%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Urologists
77% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 10Nurse Anesthetists
76% similar · $236,590 (+38%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
76% similar · $300,080 (+76%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12Chiropractors
76% similar · $79,200 (−54%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Allergists and Immunologists
76% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 14Anesthesiologists
76% similar · $391,490 (+129%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 15Acute Care Nurses
75% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 16Sports Medicine Physicians
75% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 17Exercise Physiologists
75% similar · $59,460 (−65%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 18Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
75% similar · $50,290 (broader group) · Training or associate
- 19General Internal Medicine Physicians
75% similar · $256,560 (+50%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 20Naturopathic Physicians
75% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than dentists (general).
- Anesthesiologists76% similar · $391,490 (+129%)
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons81% similar · $352,220 (+106%)
- Dermatologists79% similar · $328,730 (+92%)
- Prosthodontists81% similar · $311,180 (+82%)
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric76% similar · $300,080 (+76%)
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists78% similar · $292,910 (+71%)
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for dentists (general) also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Questions about jobs like dentists (general)
What jobs are most similar to dentists (general)?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Prosthodontists (81% similar), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (81% similar), Orthodontists (81% similar), Veterinarians (80% similar) and Podiatrists (80% similar).
Which jobs like dentists (general) pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Anesthesiologists ($391,490, +129%; usually a graduate degree), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($352,220, +106%; usually a graduate degree) and Dermatologists ($328,730, +92%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with dentists (general) ($170,950). Without more preparation than dentists (general) usually need: Anesthesiologists, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Dermatologists.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.