Here are more than 100 stats that show how compensation for dental professionals stack up in 2023:
Average salary across 4 dental specialties
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons: $321,480
Dentists, all other specialists: $276,920
Orthodontists: $218,130
Dentists, general: $174,140
Average salary for dental assistants, hygienists
Dental hygienists: $84,860
Dental assistants: $44,710
5 states with the largest increases in dentist pay
Kentucky
2021: $136,480
2022: $188,910
South Carolina
2021: $132,830
2022: $161,210
Wyoming
2021: $148,730
2022: $175,900
Louisiana
2021: $148,060
2022: $165,610
Tennessee
2021: $169,610
2022: $186,760
5 states with the largest decreases in dentist pay
Alaska
2021: $168,390
2022: $118,030
Delaware
2021: $233,860
2022: $206,270
Oregon
2021: $207,370
2022: $181,330
New Hampshire
2021: $225,140
2022: $200,970
Ohio
2021: $180,920
2022: $166,960
5 best, worst-paying states for dentists in 2023
Best-paying states
Delaware: $206,270
Rhode Island: $204,770
North Carolina: $202,550
New Hampshire: $200,970
Arkansas: $192,400
Worst-paying states
West Virginia: $145,300
South Dakota: $144,860
Idaho: $141,170
Utah: $131,490
Alaska: $118,030
5 best-, worst-paying states for dental hygienists
Best-paying states
Alaska: $113,770
California: $111,580
Washington: $111,430
Oregon: $95,360
New Jersey: $94,610
Worst-paying states
Alabama: $53,870
Mississippi: $60,490
West Virginia: $64,280
Tennessee: $68,450
Michigan: $70,190
Best-, worst-paying states for dental assistants in 2023
Best-paying states
Minnesota: $58,890
District of Columbia: $52,820
Delaware: $52,500
Alaska: $52,430
Massachusetts: $52,200
Worst-paying states
Louisiana: $36,180
Arkansas: $36,570
Mississippi: $36,960
Utah: $37,080
West Virginia: $37,510
Where do dentists earn the most?
Highest paying workplaces
State government, excluding schools and hospitals: $195,900
Other ambulatory healthcare services:$185,940
Dental offices: $174,140
Outpatient care centers: $170,580
Physician offices: $166,260
Highest-paying states
Delaware: $206,270
Rhode Island: $204,770
North Carolina: $202,550
New Hampshire: $200,970
Arkansas: $192,400
Highest-paying cities
Spokane-Spokane Valley, Wash.: $290,860
Manchester, N.H.: $290,300
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Conn.: $257,680
Burlington, N.C.: $251,590
Olympia-Tumwater, Wash.: $240,290
Where do oral surgeons earn the most?
Highest-paying industries
Dental offices: $321,480
Outpatient care centers: $255,710
General medical and surgical hospitals: $227,590
Highest-paying states
Arizona
Florida
Kentucky
Maryland
Pennsylvania
Highest-paying cities
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, N.C.-S.C.
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Pa-N.J.-Del.-Md.
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz.
Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton, Pa.
New York-Newark-Jersey City, N.Y.-N.J.-Pa.
Where do dental assistants earn the most?
Highest-paying industries
Home healthcare services: $54,140
State government, excluding schools and hospitals: $52,640
Management of companies and enterprises: $52,020
Specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals: $50,920
General medical and surgical hospitals: $49,410
Highest-paying states
Minnesota: $58,890
District of Columbia: $52,820
Delaware: $52,500
Alaska: $52,430
Massachusetts: $52,200
Highest-paying cities
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, Calif.: $62,830
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.: $61,130
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minn.: $61,020
Santa Rosa, Calif.: $56,750
Rochester, Minn.: $56,510
Where do dental hygienists earn the most?
Highest-paying industries
Home healthcare services: $96,950
Management of companies and enterprises: $91,380
Employment services: $88,670
Outpatient care centers: $86,580
Facilities support services: $86,530
Highest-paying states
Alaska: $113,770
California: $111,580
Washington: $111,430
Oregon: $95,360
New Jersey: $94,610
Highest-paying cities
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, Calif.: $131,200
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, Calif.: $123,330
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.: $122,370
Santa Rosa, Calif.: $119,730
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Wash.: $117,350