# Salaries in dental practices: Germany, Austria, Switzerland

> What do dentists, dental assistants (ZFA), prophylaxis assistants, dental hygienists and dental technicians earn? This page shows only official statistics and tariff or association figures, each with its source and date. Medians (what employees actually earn) and minimums (set by a collective agreement, the law or an association) are shown separately.

Source: https://hajto.de/en/tools/dental-salaries-germany-austria-switzerland  
Last updated: 2026-10-17T21:43:50Z  
German version: https://hajto.de/gehalt-zahnarztpraxis.md

## Germany

## Median according to the Federal Employment Agency (BA): Dentists & orthodontists (KldB 81474)

Germany: €6,152 (25 %: €4,206, 75 %: €7,795)
Germany by age: under 25: not published · 25 to under 55: €6,161 · 55 and over: €6,467
There is no collective agreement for dentists employed in practices; the only official figure is the Federal Employment Agency's median. It covers all employed dentists, including assistant dentists, employed specialists and orthodontists.

| Region | Median | 25 % | 75 % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | €6,152 | €4,206 | €7,795 |
| Schleswig-Holstein | not published | not published | not published |
| Hamburg | €5,989 | €4,203 | €7,718 |
| Niedersachsen | €6,386 | €4,432 | €7,879 |
| Bremen | not published | not published | not published |
| Nordrhein-Westfalen | €6,177 | €4,259 | €7,759 |
| Hessen | €5,977 | €3,957 | €7,729 |
| Rheinland-Pfalz | €6,193 | €4,082 | €7,799 |
| Baden-Württemberg | €6,309 | €4,283 | €7,910 |
| Bayern | €6,170 | €4,235 | €7,860 |
| Saarland | not published | not published | not published |
| Berlin | €5,991 | €4,061 | €7,656 |
| Brandenburg | not published | not published | not published |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | not published | not published | not published |
| Sachsen | not published | not published | not published |
| Sachsen-Anhalt | not published | not published | not published |
| Thüringen | not published | not published | not published |

Median gross monthly pay (with 25th and 75th percentiles), full-time employees subject to social insurance, by place of work. Covers full-time employees subject to social insurance on 31 December, i.e. employed staff; self-employed practice owners are not included. "Not published": the Federal Employment Agency publishes no value for fewer than 500 employees or when there is no data. "Above the contribution ceiling": the value lies above the pension contribution ceiling (€8,050 a month in 2025), so the exact amount is unknown. The values cannot be split by years of experience.
Source: [Entgeltatlas (Datenstand 2025, Stichtag 31.12.2025)](https://web.arbeitsagentur.de/entgeltatlas/), Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA). As of: Stichtag 31.12.2025; Entgeltatlas aktualisiert mit BA-Presseinfo Nr. 27 vom 20.07.2026; API importDatum 12.10.2026.

## Tariff minimum (only where the agreement applies): TV-Ärzte (TdL) Ä1

The TV-Ärzte (TdL) applies to "physicians including dentists" (§ 1) at university hospitals whose employer is a member of the TdL (association of German federal states as employers). Shown is pay group Ä1 (physician/dentist with corresponding duties), Anlage A, valid 1 April 2026 to 31 August 2027, 40 hours a week. § 12 does not say whether specialist dentists are grouped as Ä2, so only Ä1 is shown.

| Step | Monthly |
|---|---|
| 1 | €5,792.90 |
| 2 | €6,121.26 |
| 3 | €6,355.79 |
| 4 | €6,762.34 |
| 5 | €7,247 |
| 6 | €7,436.05 |

Source: [de_tv_aerzte_tdl_2026](https://www.verkuendung-bayern.de/files/baymbl/2026/414/anhang/Anhang.pdf), TdL und Marburger Bund; Änderungstarifvertrag Nr. 10 vom 9. Juni 2026, bekannt gemacht im BayMBl. 2026 Nr. 414 (7. Oktober 2026). As of: Anlage A gültig 01.04.2026 bis 31.08.2027 (40 Wochenstunden); Anlage B ab 01.09.2027.

## Median according to the Federal Employment Agency (BA): Dental assistants, ZFA (KldB 81112)

Germany: €2,841 (25 %: €2,440, 75 %: €3,287)
Germany by age: under 25: €2,702 · 25 to under 55: €2,898 · 55 and over: €2,920

| Region | Median | 25 % | 75 % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | €2,841 | €2,440 | €3,287 |
| Schleswig-Holstein | €2,830 | €2,479 | €3,235 |
| Hamburg | €3,022 | €2,634 | €3,468 |
| Niedersachsen | €2,737 | €2,343 | €3,135 |
| Bremen | €2,922 | €2,562 | €3,317 |
| Nordrhein-Westfalen | €2,817 | €2,431 | €3,264 |
| Hessen | €2,881 | €2,470 | €3,345 |
| Rheinland-Pfalz | €2,775 | €2,365 | €3,225 |
| Baden-Württemberg | €2,963 | €2,513 | €3,409 |
| Bayern | €2,910 | €2,469 | €3,385 |
| Saarland | €2,690 | €2,336 | €3,097 |
| Berlin | €2,961 | €2,587 | €3,401 |
| Brandenburg | €2,741 | €2,430 | €3,154 |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | €2,677 | €2,371 | €3,089 |
| Sachsen | €2,666 | €2,346 | €3,036 |
| Sachsen-Anhalt | €2,661 | €2,361 | €3,003 |
| Thüringen | €2,627 | €2,287 | €3,006 |

Median gross monthly pay (with 25th and 75th percentiles), full-time employees subject to social insurance, by place of work. Covers full-time employees subject to social insurance on 31 December, i.e. employed staff; self-employed practice owners are not included. "Not published": the Federal Employment Agency publishes no value for fewer than 500 employees or when there is no data. "Above the contribution ceiling": the value lies above the pension contribution ceiling (€8,050 a month in 2025), so the exact amount is unknown. The values cannot be split by years of experience.
Source: [Entgeltatlas (Datenstand 2025, Stichtag 31.12.2025)](https://web.arbeitsagentur.de/entgeltatlas/), Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA). As of: Stichtag 31.12.2025; Entgeltatlas aktualisiert mit BA-Presseinfo Nr. 27 vom 20.07.2026; API importDatum 12.10.2026.

## Tariff minimum (only where the agreement applies): ZFA pay agreement

Pay agreement for dental assistants (ZFA) of 30 June 2025 (AAZ and vmf), table of § 4(3), valid from 1 January 2026, terminable at the earliest for 31 December 2026. It applies only in Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Saarland and the Westphalia-Lippe region, only in dental practices and only where employer and employee are members of the parties (AAZ or vmf) or the employment contract refers to it; it is not generally binding. Part-time: per hour 1/169 of the monthly amount (§ 4(7)).

- TG I: (Grundvergütung): ZFA nach abgeschlossener Berufsausbildung
- TG II: (+7,5 %): Fortbildungsnachweise mind. 65 Unterrichtsstunden
- TG III: (+17,5 %): Fortbildungsnachweise mind. 200 Unterrichtsstunden
- TG IV: (+25 %, mehrere Qualifikationen mind. 30 %): ZMF, ZMP, KFO-Assistenz (ab 2021), Fachwirt/in ZÄ Praxismanagement, ZMV, AZP
- TG V: (+30 %, mehrere Qualifikationen mind. 35 %): Dental-Hygieniker/innen (DH), Betriebswirt/innen im Gesundheitswesen

| Years | TG I | TG II | TG III | TG IV | TG V |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | €2,620.00 | €2,816.50 | €3,078.50 | €3,275.00 | €3,406.00 |
| 4-6 | €2,674.50 | €2,875.00 | €3,142.50 | €3,343.00 | €3,477.00 |
| 7-9 | €2,757.50 | €2,964.50 | €3,240.00 | €3,447.00 | €3,585.00 |
| 10-12 | €2,834.50 | €3,047.00 | €3,330.50 | €3,543.00 | €3,684.50 |
| 13-15 | €2,914.50 | €3,133.00 | €3,424.50 | €3,643.50 | €3,789.00 |
| 16-18 | €2,994.00 | €3,218.50 | €3,517.50 | €3,742.50 | €3,892.00 |
| 19-21 | €3,073.00 | €3,303.50 | €3,611.00 | €3,841.00 | €3,995.00 |
| 22-24 | €3,151.50 | €3,388.00 | €3,703.00 | €3,939.50 | €4,097.00 |
| 25-27 | €3,231.00 | €3,473.00 | €3,796.00 | €4,038.50 | €4,200.00 |
| 28+ | €3,292.50 | €3,539.50 | €3,868.50 | €4,115.50 | €4,280.00 |

Yearly amount = 12 × the monthly table amount. Other payments under other agreements or the employment contract are not included.
Source: [Vergütungstarifvertrag für ZFA / Zahnarzthelfer/innen in Hamburg, Niedersachsen, im Saarland und im Landesteil Westfalen-Lippe, Bochum 30. Juni 2025](https://www.zahnaerzte-hh.de/fileadmin/Redaktion/Kammer/Recht/ZFA_Tarifvertrag/2025-06-30-Verguetungstarifvertrag.pdf), AAZ (Arbeitsgemeinschaft zur Regelung der Arbeitsbedingungen der ZFA) und Verband medizinischer Fachberufe e.V. (vmf); PDF published by Zahnärztekammer Hamburg. As of: table § 4(3) valid from 1 January 2026.

## Median according to the Federal Employment Agency (BA): ZFA specialist level incl. ZMP, ZMF, DH (KldB 81113)

Germany: €3,250 (25 %: €2,727, 75 %: €3,837)
Germany by age: under 25: not published · 25 to under 55: €3,299 · 55 and over: €3,269
Group value: the Federal Employment Agency assigns prophylaxis assistants (ZMP), dental specialist assistants (ZMF) and dental hygienists (DH) to this "specialist" group. It is not a value for dental hygienists only. Only Germany and three federal states are published.

| Region | Median | 25 % | 75 % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | €3,250 | €2,727 | €3,837 |
| Schleswig-Holstein | not published | not published | not published |
| Hamburg | not published | not published | not published |
| Niedersachsen | not published | not published | not published |
| Bremen | not published | not published | not published |
| Nordrhein-Westfalen | €3,262 | €2,723 | €3,848 |
| Hessen | not published | not published | not published |
| Rheinland-Pfalz | not published | not published | not published |
| Baden-Württemberg | €3,272 | €2,779 | €3,857 |
| Bayern | €3,395 | €2,789 | €4,048 |
| Saarland | not published | not published | not published |
| Berlin | not published | not published | not published |
| Brandenburg | not published | not published | not published |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | not published | not published | not published |
| Sachsen | not published | not published | not published |
| Sachsen-Anhalt | not published | not published | not published |
| Thüringen | not published | not published | not published |

Median gross monthly pay (with 25th and 75th percentiles), full-time employees subject to social insurance, by place of work. Covers full-time employees subject to social insurance on 31 December, i.e. employed staff; self-employed practice owners are not included. "Not published": the Federal Employment Agency publishes no value for fewer than 500 employees or when there is no data. "Above the contribution ceiling": the value lies above the pension contribution ceiling (€8,050 a month in 2025), so the exact amount is unknown. The values cannot be split by years of experience.
Source: [Entgeltatlas (Datenstand 2025, Stichtag 31.12.2025)](https://web.arbeitsagentur.de/entgeltatlas/), Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA). As of: Stichtag 31.12.2025; Entgeltatlas aktualisiert mit BA-Presseinfo Nr. 27 vom 20.07.2026; API importDatum 12.10.2026.

## Median according to the Federal Employment Agency (BA): Dental technicians (KldB 82542)

Germany: €3,277 (25 %: €2,692, 75 %: €4,029)
Germany by age: under 25: €2,702 · 25 to under 55: €3,319 · 55 and over: €3,378

| Region | Median | 25 % | 75 % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | €3,277 | €2,692 | €4,029 |
| Schleswig-Holstein | €3,219 | €2,704 | €3,808 |
| Hamburg | €3,569 | €2,980 | €4,262 |
| Niedersachsen | €3,219 | €2,701 | €3,934 |
| Bremen | not published | not published | not published |
| Nordrhein-Westfalen | €3,357 | €2,763 | €4,065 |
| Hessen | €3,356 | €2,725 | €4,059 |
| Rheinland-Pfalz | €3,405 | €2,763 | €4,284 |
| Baden-Württemberg | €3,589 | €2,881 | €4,472 |
| Bayern | €3,511 | €2,852 | €4,291 |
| Saarland | not published | not published | not published |
| Berlin | €3,198 | €2,701 | €3,912 |
| Brandenburg | €2,882 | €2,517 | €3,429 |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | €2,873 | €2,470 | €3,350 |
| Sachsen | €2,702 | €2,432 | €3,204 |
| Sachsen-Anhalt | €2,806 | €2,486 | €3,254 |
| Thüringen | €2,856 | €2,510 | €3,336 |

Median gross monthly pay (with 25th and 75th percentiles), full-time employees subject to social insurance, by place of work. Covers full-time employees subject to social insurance on 31 December, i.e. employed staff; self-employed practice owners are not included. "Not published": the Federal Employment Agency publishes no value for fewer than 500 employees or when there is no data. "Above the contribution ceiling": the value lies above the pension contribution ceiling (€8,050 a month in 2025), so the exact amount is unknown. The values cannot be split by years of experience.
Source: [Entgeltatlas (Datenstand 2025, Stichtag 31.12.2025)](https://web.arbeitsagentur.de/entgeltatlas/), Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA). As of: Stichtag 31.12.2025; Entgeltatlas aktualisiert mit BA-Presseinfo Nr. 27 vom 20.07.2026; API importDatum 12.10.2026.

## Statutory minimum: BBiG

Statutory minimum under § 17 BBiG for all training occupations, including dental assistants and dental technicians. What counts is the calendar year in which the training started, not the current year. Where a collective agreement binds both sides, its rates apply (§ 17 BBiG).

| Training started | 1. | 2. | 3. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | €649 | €766 | €876 |
| 2025 | €682 | €805 | €921 |
| 2026 | €724 | €854 | €977 |
| 2027 | €764 | €902 | €1,031 |

Source: [Bekanntmachung der Mindestvergütung für Berufsausbildungen (§ 17 Abs. 2 BBiG)](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bbimindvergfbek_2024/BBiMindVergFBek_2024.pdf), Bundesministerium (Bekanntmachung nach § 17 Abs. 2 Satz 5 BBiG), via gesetze-im-internet.de. As of: 2024: BGBl. 2023 I Nr. 279 (16.10.2023); 2025: BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 305 (08.10.2024); 2026: BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 235 (07.10.2025); 2027: BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 287 (30.09.2026).

## Tariff minimum (only where the agreement applies): ZFA trainees

| Training year | Monthly |
|---|---|
| 1. | €1,000 |
| 2. | €1,100 |
| 3. | €1,200 |

Source: [Vergütungstarifvertrag für ZFA / Zahnarzthelfer/innen in Hamburg, Niedersachsen, im Saarland und im Landesteil Westfalen-Lippe, Bochum 30. Juni 2025](https://www.zahnaerzte-hh.de/fileadmin/Redaktion/Kammer/Recht/ZFA_Tarifvertrag/2025-06-30-Verguetungstarifvertrag.pdf), AAZ (Arbeitsgemeinschaft zur Regelung der Arbeitsbedingungen der ZFA) und Verband medizinischer Fachberufe e.V. (vmf); PDF published by Zahnärztekammer Hamburg. As of: § 3, from 1 July 2025.

## Austria

As of: collective agreement (KV) from 1 January 2025 – the 2026 figures were not available at the time of writing

## Tariff minimum (only where the agreement applies): dental assistants

Collective agreement for employees of dentists (Austrian Dental Chamber and the GPA union), nationwide, valid from 1 June 2024, salaries from 1 January 2025, 38 hours a week (§ 5). The amounts include the hazard allowance (Gefahrenzulage) of €151 a month (§ 21). In addition, § 19 provides special payments of two monthly salaries including the hazard allowance per calendar year, i.e. 14 payments a year.

| Years | Monthly incl. hazard allowance |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | €1,931 |
| 3-4 | €1,948 |
| 5-6 | €1,966 |
| 7-8 | €2,018 |
| 9-10 | €2,079 |
| 11-12 | €2,130 |
| 13-14 | €2,192 |
| 15-16 | €2,254 |
| 17-18 | €2,314 |

Prophylaxis assistants receive a 20% supplement on the amounts of § 18 a) under the conditions of § 9a KV. We show no amount because the KV does not say clearly whether the supplement applies to the base salary only or also to the hazard allowance.
Source: [at_kv_zahnaerzte_2024](https://wr.zahnaerztekammer.at/fileadmin/content/oezak/assistenz/KV/KV_Angestellte_bei_Zahn%C3%A4rzten_FINAL.pdf), Österreichische Zahnärztekammer und ÖGB/Gewerkschaft GPA; Kollektivvertrag für die Angestellten von Zahnärzten, Wien 7.11.2024. As of: As of: collective agreement (KV) from 1 January 2025 – the 2026 figures were not available at the time of writing.

## Tariff minimum (only where the agreement applies): dental assistants in training

In Austria, dental assistance is not an apprenticeship (training under the Dentists Act, 3 years); the amounts are KV minimums including the hazard allowance. For part-time contracts concluded from 1 January 2025, at least 80% of these amounts apply regardless of hours.

| Training year | Monthly |
|---|---|
| 1. | €771 |
| 2. | €1,073 |
| 3. | €1,224 |

Source: [at_kv_zahnaerzte_2024](https://wr.zahnaerztekammer.at/fileadmin/content/oezak/assistenz/KV/KV_Angestellte_bei_Zahn%C3%A4rzten_FINAL.pdf), Österreichische Zahnärztekammer und ÖGB/Gewerkschaft GPA; Kollektivvertrag für die Angestellten von Zahnärzten, Wien 7.11.2024. As of: As of: collective agreement (KV) from 1 January 2025 – the 2026 figures were not available at the time of writing.

## Tariff minimum (only where the agreement applies): dental technicians employed by dentists

| Group / years | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Zahntechnikergeselle/-gesellin 1-2 | €1,931 |
| Zahntechnikergeselle/-gesellin 3-4 | €1,948 |
| Zahntechnikergeselle/-gesellin 5-6 | €2,030 |
| Zahntechnikergeselle/-gesellin 7-8 | €2,116 |
| Zahntechnikergeselle/-gesellin 9-10 | €2,209 |
| Zahntechnikergeselle/-gesellin 11-12 | €2,293 |
| Zahntechnikergeselle/-gesellin 13-14 | €2,386 |
| Zahntechnikergeselle/-gesellin 15-16 | €2,480 |
| Zahntechnikergeselle/-gesellin 17-18 | €2,572 |
| Zahntechnikermeister:in 1 | €2,296 |
| Zahntechnikermeister:in 2+ | €2,487 |

Source: [at_kv_zahnaerzte_2024](https://wr.zahnaerztekammer.at/fileadmin/content/oezak/assistenz/KV/KV_Angestellte_bei_Zahn%C3%A4rzten_FINAL.pdf), Österreichische Zahnärztekammer und ÖGB/Gewerkschaft GPA; Kollektivvertrag für die Angestellten von Zahnärzten, Wien 7.11.2024. As of: As of: collective agreement (KV) from 1 January 2025 – the 2026 figures were not available at the time of writing.

## Switzerland

Salary guidelines of the Swiss Dental Association SSO, valid from 1 January 2026: an association recommendation, not law or a collective agreement (GAV). Gross pay for 42 hours a week (full time), 13 monthly salaries a year. The SSO publishes the dental assistant and hygienist tables as images; we transcribed them and checked every row (monthly × 13 = yearly).

## Association recommendation, not law or a collective agreement (GAV): dental assistants EFZ

| Year | Monthly | Yearly (13 ×) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHF 4,050 – CHF 4,450 | CHF 52,650 – CHF 57,850 |
| 2 | CHF 4,160 – CHF 4,560 | CHF 54,080 – CHF 59,280 |
| 3 | CHF 4,270 – CHF 4,670 | CHF 55,510 – CHF 60,710 |
| 4 | CHF 4,380 – CHF 4,880 | CHF 56,940 – CHF 63,440 |
| 5 | CHF 4,490 – CHF 4,990 | CHF 58,370 – CHF 64,870 |
| 6 | CHF 4,600 – CHF 5,100 | CHF 59,800 – CHF 66,300 |
| 7 | CHF 4,710 – CHF 5,260 | CHF 61,230 – CHF 68,380 |
| 8 | CHF 4,820 – CHF 5,370 | CHF 62,660 – CHF 69,810 |
| 9 | CHF 4,930 – CHF 5,480 | CHF 64,090 – CHF 71,240 |
| 10 | CHF 5,080 – CHF 5,630 | CHF 66,040 – CHF 73,190 |

Prophylaxis assistant / practice administrator SSO: +CHF 400 per month (13 times).
Source: [ch_sso_salaerrichtlinien_2026](https://www.sso.ch/de/praxisteam), Schweizerische Zahnärzte-Gesellschaft SSO. As of: Salärrichtlinien (gültig ab 1.1.2026).

## Association recommendation, not law or a collective agreement (GAV): dental hygienists

| Year | Monthly | Yearly (13 ×) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHF 5,100 – CHF 5,685 | CHF 66,300 – CHF 73,905 |
| 2 | CHF 5,325 – CHF 5,940 | CHF 69,225 – CHF 77,220 |
| 3 | CHF 5,480 – CHF 6,130 | CHF 71,240 – CHF 79,690 |
| 4 | CHF 5,625 – CHF 6,295 | CHF 73,125 – CHF 81,835 |
| 5 | CHF 5,755 – CHF 6,450 | CHF 74,815 – CHF 83,850 |
| 6 | CHF 5,890 – CHF 6,625 | CHF 76,570 – CHF 86,125 |
| 7 | CHF 6,070 – CHF 6,790 | CHF 78,910 – CHF 88,270 |
| 8 | CHF 6,215 – CHF 6,955 | CHF 80,795 – CHF 90,415 |
| 9 | CHF 6,365 – CHF 7,120 | CHF 82,745 – CHF 92,560 |
| 10 | CHF 6,500 – CHF 7,295 | CHF 84,500 – CHF 94,835 |

Source: [ch_sso_salaerrichtlinien_2026](https://www.sso.ch/de/praxisteam), Schweizerische Zahnärzte-Gesellschaft SSO. As of: Salärrichtlinien (gültig ab 1.1.2026).

## Association recommendation, not law or a collective agreement (GAV): apprentices

| Year | Monthly |
|---|---|
| 1. | CHF 650 |
| 2. | CHF 900 |
| 3. | CHF 1,300 |

The SSO calls these rates binding, in the sense of its association rules, not as law. They are also paid 13 times a year.
Source: [ch_sso_salaerrichtlinien_2026](https://www.sso.ch/de/praxisteam), Schweizerische Zahnärzte-Gesellschaft SSO. As of: Salärrichtlinien (gültig ab 1.1.2026).

No figures from private salary portals or job boards. Not legal or pay advice; the collective agreement, the law or the association guideline itself is authoritative.