20 Best Paying Jobs in Medical/Dental Instruments

This article lists the top 20 best paying jobs in medical/dental instruments, including the top 5 entry-level positions. It also provides an overview of everything you need to know about these jobs, from their structure to the surrounding details.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the medical or dental instrument industry, you may be curious about the highest paying jobs within this field.

In addition, I will advise you to carefully read through this article because everything you need to know about the best paying jobs in medical/dental instruments is available here.

Is Medical/Dental Instruments A Good Career Path?

Absolutely. Medical/dental instruments is a challenging and ever-changing career path, offering longevity, human interaction, and a wide range of areas from manufacturing to sales, making them an excellent choice for those seeking a rewarding career.

If you’re interested in the Medical/Dental Instruments field, take a look at this list of jobs to get an idea of the available professions.

Check Out: Approved Urgent Dental Care Numbers in the USA

20 Best Paying Jobs in Medical/Dental Instruments

The field of medical and dental instruments covers a vast range of professions, from device manufacturers to sales representatives and, finally, the experts who use the instruments.

Below are some of the highest paying jobs in the dental or medical instrument industry.

1. Medical Instrument Sales

Sales is a vast field, and if you possess excellent sales skills, you can start at an entry-level position and climb the ladder to become one of the top performers in the industry. Your salary will be a direct reflection of your sales ability, so the better you sell, the more you earn.

2. Quality Assurance Engineer

A Quality Assurance Engineer reviews validation processes for medical instrument and equipment production, including physical instruments, equipment, and software. With years of experience and advanced degrees, this individual earns an average annual salary of $86,000.

3. Medical Device Engineer

At the senior level, you’ll troubleshoot, disassemble, and reassemble medical devices and instruments, requiring understanding of their functions, quick adjustments, and quick repair. Good computer skills, documentation abilities, and an advanced degree are also required.

4. Surgeon

Specialists and doctors in the medical instrument industry use various specialties, resulting in high-paying jobs. They constantly use various medical instruments, from simple scalpels to high-tech equipment. The average annual salary for surgeons is $357,000. It’s recommended to find surgeon jobs near you.

5. Orthodontist

Orthodontia involves using dental instruments to straighten, align, support, and replace teeth. It requires a decade of advanced education and is one of the highest-paying professions, with an average annual salary of $199,000.

6. Dental Hygienist

A dental hygienist is similar to a physician assistant in a medical setting but instead works in a dentist’s office. They use various instruments to examine the mouth for signs of oral issues, clean teeth, and provide fluoride treatments. They also create and implement treatment plans that can range from brushing to flossing.

After completing an associate’s degree, a dental hygienist can earn around $72,000 annually. For those seeking work as a dental assistant, a private dental practice is a good option, as it is the highest paying field in dentistry, and the salary of dental hygienists should reflect this.

7. Implant Coordinator

An implant coordinator works at a doctor’s or dentist’s office to ensure that all necessary tools are available for surgeries. This job involves coordinating instruments for other professionals rather than using them directly. It is an ideal position for those interested in the medical industry but not patient care. To be an implant coordinator, one should have excellent communication skills and a bachelor’s degree. The expected salary for this position is around $45,000.

8. Radiologic Technologist

Radiology is a field that focuses on capturing internal body images using machines like x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Radiologic technologists, like photographers, position subjects for the right shot and use their equipment to capture images.

They diagnose patients, provide necessary information for treatment, and are well compensated for their work. This field offers flexibility in working in various settings, such as private offices, urgent care centers, clinics, or hospitals. The average salary for radiologic technologists is around $60,000.

9. Research and Development Scientist:

R&D scientists in the medical and dental instrument industry focus on advancing instrument technology through scientific research and innovation, improving existing instruments, or developing new ones to improve medical and dental procedures, earning substantial salaries in research-intensive organizations.

10. Clinical Application Specialist:

Clinical application specialists offer medical and dental instrument expertise to healthcare professionals, ensuring effective utilization and troubleshooting technical issues. They command competitive salaries due to their specialized knowledge and ability to optimize instrument usage.

11. Dental Technician:

Dental technicians create and fix dental appliances, including dentures, crowns, and bridges; their high-level precision is reflected in an average yearly salary of $62,070.

12. Audiologist

This job requires a doctoral degree in audiology and a high median salary. With rising demand and job opportunities, those with the right education are likely to secure a job quickly. Audiologists assess, diagnose, and identify hearing disorders using dental tools. The median salary is $81,030. Education requirements include a bachelor’s degree, AuD, PhD, or Aud/Phd.

13. Dental Hygienist

The dental hygienist field is a rapidly growing and diverse field with high growth rates and job opportunities. They provide oral care alongside specialized dentists, assisting in patient care and preventing cavities.

The median salary is $77,090, and they require a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in dental hygiene. Employment opportunities are higher than average in medical/dental instrument occupations.

14. Optometrist

Optometrists are highly paid professionals in the medical instrument sector, responsible for diagnosing, treating, and managing vision-related disorders. With projected job growth and high job security, optometrists are ideal for individuals interested in this field. They use medical tools to identify causes or treatment prospects for eye problems, with a median salary of $124,300.

15. Dental Assistant

Dental assistants play a crucial role in treating patients, providing a high income and less specialized training than other professions. With a promising growth rate, they assist dentists with procedures like extractions and fillings, ensuring patient health post-procedure.

They are considered a proxy for dentists, with similar training and skill sets. The median salary is $41,180. The education required is a dental assistant certificate or associate’s degree.

16. Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nuclear medicine technologists, a new and upcoming profession, earn high salaries of up to $95,000 per year. With approximately 1500 job openings per year, they handle radioactive drugs for patients and provide support to medical professionals in radioactive medicine research.

17. Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists, a profession with a median salary of $62,810, have a 23% projected growth and a steady income source. They evaluate patients with respiratory issues, perform pulmonary function tests, and administer medication using nebulizers or inhalers. The profession requires a bachelor’s, master’s, or associate’s degree in a respiratory therapy education program accredited by CoARC.

18.. Medical Biller

A medical biller job in the US is highly sought after due to its high demand and decent stipend. This career path offers a secure job placement with potential for salary growth. The job involves calculating bills for medical treatments, receiving payments, and preparing billing and medical data for insurance claims.

Medical billers are well-suited for those with experience in handling finances. The top 20 best-paying jobs in medical and dental instruments include positions from both sectors. The median salary is $45,240, and an associate degree and COC, CPC-P certification are required.

19. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Diagnostic imaging sonographers or diagnostic ultrasound technicians earn a median salary similar to that of nuclear medicine technologists. With a projected growth rate of over 10%, job prospects are increasing.

They use ultrasound to examine the body’s inner workings and analyze sonographic images to diagnose problems. This job is suitable for those interested in learning about the human body’s biology.

20. Periodontist

Periodontists offer a lucrative, non-specialized career with a focus on gum and jaw issues, focusing on prevalent gum diseases and their treatment. They can work as preventive doctors or surgical doctors, using dental instruments like scaling or implants. With a projected growth rate of 1.6%, the demand and income levels for dental care-related professions like periodontists are expected to increase, making them an ideal profession.

The median salary is $155,955, and education includes a 4-year undergraduate degree, a DDS or DMD degree, and 2-3 years of residency.

Top 5 Entry-Level Jobs in Medical/Dental Instruments

There are numerous opportunities to enter the medical and dental instrument industries, with some jobs being lucrative and others being entry-level positions for experience and career progression. The best part is the freedom to shape your career in this field.

The following are the top 5 entry-level jobs in medical/dental instruments

1. Sterile Processing Tech

Sterilization of medical devices is crucial, and sterile processing technicians are found in manufacturing facilities and medical offices.

They are trained on the job and require attention to detail, with an average annual salary of $37,000.

2. Production Assembler

This is another outstanding job in the medical/dental field. The production assembler job in manufacturing can be entry-level or more complex, depending on the plant and assignment. Working as a production assembler, you can earn an average annual salary of $30,000, depending on the location and the specific responsibilities involved.

3. Sales Service Representative

Sales and service are pivotal in the medical and dental instrument business. Sales service representatives require on-the-job training and knowledge of equipment and computer programs, but they can be entry-level positions for the right candidate.

4. Medical Supply Technician

As a medical supply technician working in entry-level medical offices, you’ll be required to have strong organizational skills and additional tasks. The medical supply technician maintains supplies in good working condition, requiring training but not formal education. The average annual salary is $36,000.

5. Warehouse Worker

If you want to start working for a medical instrument company but don’t know where to start, consider working in the warehouse. Many companies in this industry are constantly seeking warehouse workers.

Although it can be physically challenging, it provides job security and an opportunity to learn about the business and its products. The average annual salary for this job is $31,000.

Educational Qualifications Requirements for a Career in Medical/Dental Instruments

The field of medical and dental instruments can require a high school diploma, while a specialty in surgery may require a decade of education, presenting various educational requirements for potential job opportunities.

High school, or GED. To begin a career in the medical and dental instrument industry, the first step is to obtain a high school degree or a GED. This is typically a mandatory requirement for most jobs in this field. Although you may come across some manufacturing or warehouse jobs that don’t require this level of education, having a high school degree or a GED can significantly increase your chances of finding employment in this industry.

On-the-job training. Choosing a profession in this field requires extensive on-the-job training due to its constantly evolving nature. Staying updated with new instruments is crucial, whether it’s understanding them or mastering them for different professions.

Associates or tech certifications If you want to pursue a technical or medical career in the field of medical and dental instruments, obtaining certificates from a technical school or an associate’s degree can help you achieve your goals.

Bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree is required for advancement in the medical, design, and engineering fields, with specialization depending on the area of interest.

Master’s degree. This is another important degree as far as medical/dental instruments are concerned. If you want to earn more money, I advise you to go for this degree.

Medical Doctor or Dentist. If you plan on pursuing a career in dentistry or medicine, you’ll still be in the medical instruments industry, but from a user’s perspective.

What is the job description of people working in the field of medical/dental instruments?

People working in medical/dental instruments perform various tasks such as diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.

Individuals employed in the medical and dental instrument fields are responsible for producing essential tools that are used in medical and dental practices.

There are various career paths available in this industry, ranging from those that require minimal education to those that necessitate extensive education and advanced degrees.

Whether you’re contributing in big or small ways, the work you do in the medical field is incredibly meaningful. It has the potential to make your job one of the best there is. Who knows? The instruments you help create or use might one day save your own life or the life of someone you love.

Conclusion

Medical and dental instruments offer high-paying job opportunities for professionals with technical skills, innovation, and a commitment to healthcare technology. Roles include sales representatives, biomedical engineers, equipment repair technicians, research scientists, and quality assurance managers.

These positions command attractive salaries due to their expertise and dedication. As the healthcare industry evolves, these top-paying positions remain in demand, attracting talented individuals seeking financial rewards.

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Meet Mr. Smith, a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience as an author and researcher at Recruitment Portfolio. With a passion for words and a keen eye for detail, Mr. Smith has become a cornerstone of our team, bringing a unique blend of creativity and analytical prowess to his work.

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