How to Make 6 Figures As A Dentist? (11 Best Ways in 2024)

Updated: September 9th, 2024

So you want to make six figures as a dentist? Good for you! Being a dentist is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.

In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a dentist - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Digital products ($261K/month)

Starting a digital products business could significantly boost your income and help you reach six figures as a dentist. You could create information-based products, such as an ebook or an online course, sharing your expertise on dental care, practice management, or patient communication. This allows you to monetize the knowledge you already possess while reaching a broader audience beyond just your clinical patients.

Another option could be developing a membership site or an online community where fellow dentists pay for access to exclusive content, webinars, and Q&A sessions. Because digital products require minimal overhead and no physical inventory, you could easily manage this side business alongside your dental practice. By leveraging your expertise and creating valuable digital products, you could open up additional revenue streams and achieve greater financial success.

How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How We Created A $30K/Month Marketplace Of Photo Filters And Digital Assets For Creatives

FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.

Read by 11,016 founders

2. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)

Starting a social media marketing agency could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a dentist, potentially propelling you towards making six figures. By leveraging your existing network and professional reputation, you could attract clients ranging from small businesses to fellow healthcare professionals looking to enhance their online presence.

You could efficiently manage this agency without sacrificing your time at the clinic by automating processes using social media marketing tools. With a solid strategy and an attractive portfolio, you could establish a steady stream of income that finances your utilities, college education, or even that dream vacation.

This entrepreneurial venture allows you to grow your financial portfolio while also offering the flexibility to integrate into your current professional schedule seamlessly.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week

How I Started A $80K/Month Content Writing Business

How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.

Read by 24,754 founders

3. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)

Starting a career coaching business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a dentist and achieve six figures. By leveraging your speaking talents and human resources expertise, you could offer personalized guidance and strategy services to help clients navigate their professional journeys. Whether you conduct in-person or virtual sessions, you could assist with crucial aspects like resume building, interview preparation, and workplace advancement goals.

Building a client base could allow you to empower others through specialized advice and accountability, turning your natural motivational abilities into a profitable side business. Moreover, the flexibility of setting your schedule means you could easily balance your dental practice while providing career coaching services that bring meaningful breakthroughs to your clients.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

From Getting Fired At 24 To Growing A $140K/Month Online Community

Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.

Read by 22,356 founders

4. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)

Starting a blog could be a significant step towards making six figures as a dentist. By sharing your expertise and insights on dental health, practice management, or patient care, you could attract a wide audience online. Given that 77% of internet users read blogs and around 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages each month, this offers a substantial opportunity to garner a following.

Monetizing this popularity through methods like sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and even selling dental-related products or services could generate additional income streams. Blogging as a side hustle could grow into a lucrative business, leveraging your professional knowledge and enabling you to work on your own schedule. With consistent, high-quality content, complemented by a strong mailing list, you could connect with a broader audience and create a profitable venture beyond your regular dental practice.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How This 28-Year-Old Couple Quit Their Jobs And Make $20K/Month Running A Blog

Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.

Read by 28,677 founders

5. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)

Starting a podcast could present an entrepreneurial opportunity for dentists looking to make six figures. By creating a podcast focused on dental health, patient experiences, or new industry techniques, you could attract a dedicated audience and establish yourself as a thought leader. With relatively low startup costs involving just a microphone, headphones, and an affordable hosting platform, you could easily share your expertise online.

Once you've built a listener base through social media and word of mouth, you could attract sponsors or advertisers interested in reaching your audience. Additionally, your podcast could open doors to speaking engagements, consultancy opportunities, and collaborations that further supplement your income. With dedication and smart promotion, a well-targeted podcast could become a significant revenue stream, augmenting your earnings as a dentist.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

Read by 19,142 founders

6. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)

Starting an eCommerce store could significantly supplement your income as a dentist, offering you a way to make six figures beyond your clinical practice. With the lower overhead costs and increased flexibility of an online business, you could sell dental health products or related items to a global audience without the constraints of a physical storefront.

An eCommerce venture could capitalize on the growing trend where consumers prefer the convenience of online shopping from their computers, tablets, or smartphones. By setting up a user-friendly website and utilizing efficient payment processing and inventory management systems, you could streamline your operations and focus on scaling your business. This additional revenue stream could substantially boost your overall earnings, making six figures a more attainable goal in 2024.

How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Started A $20K/Month Southern Inspired Candle Business

Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.

Read by 72,173 founders

7. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)

Starting a freelance writing business could provide a lucrative opportunity to supplement your income as a dentist. Given the flexibility of freelance writing, you could easily define a work schedule that accommodates your demanding dental practice. Whether working from home or during off-hours, this side venture could allow you to reach a wider audience and showcase your expertise.

With strong writing skills and the ability to meet deadlines, you could attract a variety of clients seeking content in the medical or dental niche, allowing you to command higher fees. By staying up-to-date with current writing tools and trends, along with leveraging your self-starter attitude and proper communication skills, you could steadily build a profitable side business that helps you achieve six figures.

How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)

How I Started A $80K/Month Content Writing Business

How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.

Read by 24,754 founders

8. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)

As a dentist, you could significantly supplement your income by creating and selling online courses focused on specialized dental knowledge. By identifying gaps in dental education and leveraging your expertise, you could develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials that cater to both new dentists and seasoned professionals seeking to expand their knowledge.

Building a student base through self-paced or cohort-based structures allows you to generate passive income while sharing your instructional talents. This entrepreneurial venture not only fulfills a growing demand for convenient access to emerging dental subjects but also requires relatively small startup costs, making it a lucrative opportunity for eager lifelong learners.

How much you can make: $350 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)

How This 28-Year-Old Couple Quit Their Jobs And Make $20K/Month Running A Blog

Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.

Read by 28,671 founders

9. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)

Starting a YouTube channel could be an innovative way for you to supplement your income as a dentist and even achieve a 6-figure revenue stream. By creating engaging content related to dental health tips, patient care, or even behind-the-scenes looks at your practice, you could attract a broad audience interested in dental care and wellness. With YouTube's established monetization system, reaching the 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours mark would allow you to join the YouTube Partner Program and start earning from ads.

Furthermore, you could leverage your professional expertise to create specialized content that resonates with viewers, such as tutorials, product reviews, and Q&A sessions. As you grow your subscriber base, additional revenue streams could include sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and even selling your own products or services. This could not only boost your income but also enhance your reputation and patient base, offering a well-rounded approach to achieving financial growth in your dental career.

How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How This Couple Makes $5K/Month Generating Content About Ways To Make Money Online

Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.

Read by 14,398 founders

10. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)

One lucrative way to supplement your income as a dentist is by starting a side business as a social media influencer. With platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok becoming central to people’s lives, brands are eager to collaborate with influencers who have established credibility in specific industries. By leveraging your expertise in dental care and creating engaging, educational content, you could build a vast audience that trusts your recommendations.

As you grow your follower base, brands looking to target dental products and services would likely approach you for partnerships, providing a steady stream of income. Additionally, you could diversify your revenue streams through sponsored posts, brand endorsements, and even offering online courses or consultations. This entrepreneurial venture could significantly boost your earnings, potentially helping you reach six figures in addition to your practice.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)

How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)

How I Started A $2.5K/Month Blog About Motherhood, Life And Travel

How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.

Read by 7,441 founders

11. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)

As a dentist, you could supplement your income and make extra money by becoming an affiliate marketer. This involves promoting other companies' products or services and earning a commission for every sale made through your referral. Given your authority in the dental and healthcare field, you could easily target related products, such as dental care items, wellness programs, or even continuing education courses for other dental professionals.

Affiliate marketing is a low-cost business idea since you don't need to create or own the products yourself. All you need to do is leverage your marketing skills to drive traffic and sales to the businesses you're promoting. By signing up for affiliate programs and utilizing unique tracking links, you could identify sales generated through your efforts and earn commissions, potentially helping you into the six-figure income range. This venture requires minimal upfront investment, making it a practical option for busy professionals like yourself.

How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

My Affiliate Marketing Business Earns $500K/Year Profit [No Employees]

This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

Read by 24,508 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.