Comparison of Civilian and Navy Pay for Dentists

Dental special pays, which typically make up 15 to 20 percent of a Navy dentist's total military pay, have not been substantially increased since FY 1980. As a result, the increases in the total pay of Navy dentists have lagged behind the cost of living. At the same time, the net income of civilian dentists has increased at a faster rate than the cost of living. These two factors have led to a widening of the civilian-military pay gap. This research memorandum examines these issues.