Compared to dental hygienists and dental assistants, dentists are projected to have the lowest growth rate and employment change.
Dentists are also projected to have a smaller change in the number of jobs compared to other healthcare sectors. While physicians and surgeons have a slightly lower projected growth rate, the profession is expected to see a change in employment more than three times higher than dentists. Physician assistants are also projected to have more growth than dentists, with an expected growth rate of 27%.
Here is the job outlook for dentists and four other healthcare professions, according to data from the agency:
Dentists
Number of jobs in 2022: 155,000
Growth rate: 2022-2032: 4% increase
Employment change, 2022-2032: 6,800
Dental hygienists
Number of jobs in 2022: 219,400
Growth rate: 2022-2032: 7% increase
Employment change, 2022-2032: 16,300
Dental assistants
Number of jobs in 2022: 371,000
Growth rate: 2022-2032: 7% increase
Employment change, 2022-2032: 25,700
Physicians and surgeons
Number of jobs in 2022: 816,900
Growth rate: 2022-2032: 3% increase
Employment change, 2022-2032: 24,600
Physician assistants
Number of jobs in 2022: 148,000
Growth rate: 2022-2032: 27% increase
Employment change, 2022-2032: 39,300
