Dental hygienists have the highest annual mean wage in the employment services industry, while the highest-paying industry for dental assistants is management of companies and enterprises, according to updated data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The agency released updated compensation data April 3 to reflect 2023 information, the most recent available.
Here are the five highest-paying industries for both dental hygienists and dental assistants, along with the average annual salary:
1. Employment services: $95,650
2. Outpatient care centers: $90,310
3. Offices of dentists: $90,160
4. Facilities support services: $88,180
5. General medical and surgical hospitals: $87,730
1. Management of companies and enterprises: $57,270
2. State government, excluding schools and hospitals (OEWS designation): $54,890
3. Specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals: $53,850
4. General medical and surgical hospitals: $51,760
5. Junior colleges: $50,970