Here is how 2022 average annual salaries for three professions in the dental industry compared with the 8 percent inflation rate from 2022, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Inflation Calculator.
Dentists
Average annual salary in 2022: $172,290
Average annual salary in 2021: $177,770
Change: 3.1 percent decrease
Dental hygienists
Average annual salary in 2022: $84,860
Average annual salary in 2021: $81,360
Change: 4.3 percent increase
Dental assistants
Average annual salary in 2022: $44,710
Average annual salary in 2021: $42,510
Change: 5.2 percent increase
Click here to see comparisons of salary and inflation data from 2017-2021 for dentists, dental hygienists or dental assistants.