In Utah, the state with the highest number of dental assistants per capita, the average annual salary for the profession is $39,350, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Utah has 180.94 dental assistants per 100,000 residents, more than double Pennsylvania, which has the lowest ratio at 79.76 assistants per 100,000 residents.
Data on the number of dental assistants in each state and compensation is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which updated employment data to reflect 2023 in April.
Here is the average salary for assistants in the five states with the highest number of assistants per capita:
Utah
Average annual salary: $39,350
Dental assistants per capita: 180.94 assistants per 100,000 residents
Washington
Average annual salary: $54,190
Dental assistants per capita: 156.48 assistants per 100,000 residents
Idaho
Average annual salary: $40,200
Dental assistants per capita: 153.73 assistants per 100,000 residents
California
Average annual salary: $52,470
Dental assistants per capita: 146.23 assistants per 100,000 residents
Massachusetts
Average annual salary: $56,810
Dental assistants per capita: 131.05 assistants per 100,000 residents
Here is the average salary for assistants in the five states with the lowest number of assistants per capita:
Pennsylvania
Average annual salary: $47,770
Dental assistants per capita: 79.76 assistants per 100,000 residents
West Virginia
Average annual salary: $39,890
Dental assistants per capita: 80.97 assistants per 100,000 residents
Delaware
Average annual salary: $49,040
Dental assistants per capita: 86.18 assistants per 100,000 residents
Vermont
Average annual salary: $53,860
Dental assistants per capita: 89.53 assistants per 100,000 residents
Alabama
Average annual salary: $37,440
Dental assistants per capita: 90.02 assistants per 100,000 residents