Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewdepietro/2020/01/14/dental-assistant-salary-state/#406bcb9e1164

Andrew DePietro, Forbes Contributor
Personal Finance

The career of a dental assistant is currently on fire and is poised to continue its fast growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of dental assistants is projected to increase much faster than average, with approximately 38,700 dental assistant jobs being added from 2018 to 2028, an increase of 11%. Currently, there are 346,000 dental assistant jobs.

Using occupational data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we’ve analyzed and compiled a round-up of the average dental assistant salary by state in the U.S. Read on for a full breakdown of where dental assistants make the most money, and where they’re making the least.

10 States Where Dental Assistants Earn the Most Money
The national average annual wage of a dental assistant is $39,770, according to the BLS, which is markedly less than the national average wage for all occupations, $51,960. If you’re a dental assistant, you can improve your chances of a better average salary by moving to a state that pays dental assistants more than the U.S. average.

Below is a list of the top-10 highest-paying states for dental assistants.

Minnesota average dental assistant salary: $49,880
New Hampshire average dental assistant salary: $48,760
Alaska average dental assistant salary: $47,330
North Dakota average dental assistant salary: $46,640
Massachusetts average dental assistant salary: $46,070
Virginia average dental assistant salary: $44,640
Connecticut average dental assistant salary: $44,520
Rhode Island average dental assistant salary: $43,710
Washington average dental assistant salary: $43,680
Oregon average dental assistant salary: $43,440
Today In: Money
Many of these top-10 states are also seeing their dental assistant salaries increase substantially over the last five years. No. 6 Virginia saw the average dental assistant salary increase by 23.5%, from $36,140 in 2013 to $44,640 in 2018. No. 8 Rhode Island experienced similar robust growth, with the average dental assistant salary rising by 22.9%, from $35,560 to $43,710.

10 States Where Dental Assistants Earn the Least Money
The bottom-10 states where dental assistants make the least money are a geographically located primarily in the U.S. South and West, specifically the Mountain division in the latter region with states like Utah, Idaho, New Mexico and Wyoming all ranking among the lowest-paying states. Take a look below at the states where dental assistant salaries are the lowest.

Utah average dental assistant salary: $31,280
West Virginia average dental assistant salary: $31,410
Louisiana average dental assistant salary: $32,340
Mississippi average dental assistant salary: $32,900
Alabama average dental assistant salary: $33,650
Arkansas average dental assistant salary: $34,080
Idaho average dental assistant salary: $34,800
New Mexico average dental assistant salary: $34,870
Wyoming average dental assistant salary: $35,220
Kentucky average dental assistant salary: $36,060
Dental assistant salary growth in these 10 states has been positive, but slower than in other states. Dental assistant salaries in Wyoming have been notably lagging, growing only 7.3% from 2013 to 2018: From $32,810 to $35,220.

How Much Do Dental Assistants Make in Each State
Click here find the average annual wage for dental assistants in all 50 states from 2013 to 2018.