Benchmarking

Minnesota is the highest-paying state for dental assistants, and Louisiana is the lowest-paying state, according to salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

In 2022, there were 7,412 practicing oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the U.S., according to April data from the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute — an increase of 16.6 percent since 2001.

California has the highest number of dental assistants, according to employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In 2022, there were 202,536 practicing dentists in the U.S., according to April data from the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute — an increase of 24 percent since 2001.

Delaware is the highest-paying state for dentists, while Alaska is the lowest-paying state, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The average annual wage for dental hygienists in the U.S. is $84,860, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Twenty-three states saw an increase in dentist salaries between 2021 and 2022, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Dental assistants in Minnesota have the highest average salary, according to employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Delaware is the highest-paying state for dentists, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

The average annual salary for dental hygienists has risen in the last five years along with inflation, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Inflation Calculator.