Absolutely agree with this post.I have a friend who has a practice that was established some time ago, he took it over and is now making $300k+, working on avg. 3.5 days a week. His practice is established and is huge. If you get intodental school I highly recommend you try getting an Orthodontist spot after school. Real money there with the same hours and less tediousness (drilling, crowns, etc.), plus the fact that you can see your work progress through to completion.

I am still having a difficult time deciding. You would think that with the HUGE difference in lifestyle, it wouldn't be hard. Obviously, I really think I'd enjoy both, however, aviation has a slight lead there. I completely understand that salary isn't everything, but the median for orthodontists (what I would want to do) is around 400k.

Is there anyone that would recommend aviation over dentistry?

(raises hand)

Why? Do you mind sharing?

My wife who has been in the dental proffession for over twenty years suggest you become a dentist (orthodontist or oral surgeons make the most money) and fly for fun. Dentist make their own schedules, the ones my wife has worked for live very comfortably and they have no boss. You decide your work rules and pay scale. Two of them owned their own planes. BE YOUR OWN BOSS!!!

I would recommend aviation over dentistry if you love to fly. If you are trying to compare guaranteed income over the course of a career and are in flying for the money, I'd suggest you stay away from an aviation career.

I certainly wouldn't be in aviation for the money, but I think it is a little naive not to consider the salaries as a little part of the decision when you are talking about a difference of potentially 200k.

Well, If you're anything like me, and interested in a totally different profession, you'll always be looking out the window as an airplane passes, wondering why you're on the ground and not in the air. I'd say fly if you're not only looking forward to the great aspects of flying, but also looking fwd to experiencing some of the bad ones- just to say you've been there. As a pilot, you leave your work at work- not so easy as a dentist.

You hear folks on these boards ***** and complain about flying, but the truth is that EVERYBODY complains about their careers. Read the medical forums and you'll notice that even doctors complain about exactly the same things that pilots do. EXACTLY the same things.

Lastly, everybody will say to be a dentist and fly a Cessna. Fact is, I'd never be happy with that. GA aircraft simply aren't enough. I need to get into a big jet one day. Who knows, maybe it's just a bug that needs to leave the system, but I know that I need to fly a jet one day. When people say "why don't you just get rich and fly a small plane?", I tell them that's like telling a Nascar driver to drive a Honda.
By the way, make another 3 posts, I'd like to send u a PM.

DE, glad to see somebody here likes to fly Whew

This is me to a T.