Dentists can earn an average of $216,280 in Washington, the highest-paying state for dentists on the West Coast, compared to $234,670 in Maryland, the highest-paying state on the East Coast.
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There are currently 6,842 dental professional shortage areas in the U.S., according to data from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons earn about $173.79 per hour in North Carolina, the state with the highest average hourly wage for oral and maxillofacial surgeons, compared to the state's minimum wage of $7.25.
West Virginia is the most expensive state for dental insurance, according to a new ranking from LV Dental Braces.
Orthodontists earn about $158.47 per hour in Michigan, the state with the highest average hourly wage for orthodontists, compared to the state's minimum wage of $10.33.
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Oral and maxillofacial surgery is one of several physician specialties that saw the largest increase in average annual compensation between 2022 and 2023, according to Doximity's 2024 Physician Compensation Report.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the fifth highest-paying physician specialty in the U.S., according to Doximity's 2024 Physician Compensation Report.
Dental assistants earn about $30.17 per hour in Minnesota, the state with the highest average hourly wage for dental assistants, compared to the state's minimum wage of $8.85.
The average annual salary for dental professions, including dentists, dental hygienists and orthodontists, vary widely from state to state, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The average annual salary for specialty dentists has fluctuated over the past five years, rising from $178,040 in 2019 to $244,470 in 2023, a total increase of more than $66,000, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.