California has the highest number of dental professional shortage areas in the U.S. with 517, but has an above average salary for dental assistants.
Information on dental shortage areas comes from KFF, and salary data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Here is the average salary for dental assistants in the 10 states that have the highest number of dental professional shortage areas:
California
Shortage areas: 517
Dental assistant salary: $48,990
Missouri
Shortage areas: 344
Dental assistant salary: $42,260
Alaska
Shortage areas: 318
Dental assistant salary: $52,430
Texas
Shortage areas: 316
Dental assistant salary: $39,170
Florida
Shortage areas: 274
Dental assistant salary: $42,650
Michigan
Shortage areas: 248
Dental assistant salary: $42,040
Illinois
Shortage areas: 245
Dental assistant salary: $41,290
Arizona
Shortage areas: 242
Dental assistant salary: $44,610
Minnesota
Shortage areas: 204
Dental assistant salary: $58,890
North Carolina
Shortage areas: 203
Dental assistant salary: $45,650