Dentistry graduates in the UK lead the way in salary and skilled employment
Newly-qualified dentistry graduates in the UK are outperforming their peers in terms of salary and job quality, earning £10,000 more than the national average just 15 months after completing their degrees, according to new data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
The average salary for medicine and dentistry graduates stands at £37,924, far ahead of the national graduate average of £28,500, highlighting the strong financial return on investment in these professions. These figures were revealed in HESA’s latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, which analyzed responses from over 350,000 graduates from the 2022/23 cohort.
Top-performing degrees by graduate salary:
- Medicine and dentistry – £37,924
- Veterinary science – £33,750
- Engineering and technology – £31,975
- Mathematical sciences – £31,450
- Computing – £30,998
While the average graduate salary rose from £27,000 last year, the percentage of graduates in full-time employment slightly declined. However, dentistry and medicine graduates maintained their edge, with 97% employed in high-skilled jobs, reflecting the strong demand for clinical and healthcare professionals in the UK.
More than just high pay: Dentistry ensures high-skilled employment
Not only do dentistry graduates enjoy higher-than-average starting salaries, but they also benefit from better employment prospects:
- 97% are in high-skilled roles, the highest across all fields.
- 82% work in human health and social care sectors.
- 9% are in education, and 2% in public administration and defence.
In comparison, agriculture and food-related degrees had the lowest rate of high-skilled employment at 49%.
Are dentistry graduates earning more than last year?
Interestingly, dentistry graduates earned slightly more in the previous year’s survey—an average of £42,000. Still, they remain the highest earners among all disciplines. The employment pattern also remains consistent:
- 69% in full-time jobs
- 19% pursuing further studies
- 7% in part-time roles
- Only 2% reported unemployment
These figures reaffirm dentistry’s status as one of the most secure and lucrative career paths in the UK.
Gender trends in employment and earnings
While female graduates are more likely to be employed overall, they are also more likely to work part-time. Among those in full-time employment, male graduates are more likely to earn above £33,000, signaling ongoing gender disparities in high-income brackets.
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