Dental Occupation Salaries

Salaries are annual unless otherwise stated.

Salary and wage information for New Zealand professions is compiled regularly by analysis of New Zealand jobs advertised in major publications. Salaries are annual unless otherwise stated.

According to the New Zealand Dental Association there is a shortage of dental hygienists, dental therapists and dental assistants in New Zealand. Dental technicians, however, are no longer on the NZ immediate skills shortage list.

Dental assistants receive the lowest rate of pay in this industry and some positions may offer the minimum wage rate which is currently $18.90 per hour.

Dental hygienists / oral health therapists usually are paid an hourly rate and this can range from $30 to $60 an hour depending on location and experience.

Dental Technicians typically start on around $48,000, rising to between $60,000 and $75,000 with five years experience.

Dental therapists graduates can expect to earn over $45,000 and a senior experienced dental therapist can earn up to $90,000.

Dental Technician / Hygienist / Therapist / Assistant Salaries
Wages in 2020

Dental OccupationsSalary / Wage $Location
Dental Assistant / Orthodontic Auxiliary trainee40,000 – 50,000Rodney and North Shore, Auckland
Junior Dental Technician47,000 – 57,000Auckland
Senior Dental Technician70,000 – 80,000Auckland
Dental Therapist45,000 – 55,000Auckland
Senior Dental Assistant37,000 – 47,000Wellington
Dental Hygienist / Oral Health Therapist35 – 43 per hourWellington
Orthodontic Dental Assistant/ Receptionist37,000 – 45,000Wellington
Dental Technician47,000 – 57,000Wellington
Dental Therapist42,000 – 55,000Christchurch
Intermediate Dental Technician50,000 – 65,000Christchurch
Dental Assistant20 – 25 per hourChristchurch

For comparison, the average hourly wage in New Zealand for the quarter ending 31 March 2020 was $33.20 according to Statistics New Zealand.

This would give an annual average salary of around $65,600, working standard full-time hours (38 hours).

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