11 Highest Paying States For Dentists

The 11 highest paying states for dentists prove that these health professionals are living the life.

Dentistry has been ranked number one among the 100 best jobs in the country by US News, a great prestige for the occupation. According to the list, dentistry has an unemployment rate worthy of envy, standing at 0.1 percent. Its work life balance has also been ranked eight out of 10, something that other health specialists definitely don’t enjoy. Along with all these perks, dentists also enjoy an attractive pay package. Their remuneration has caused them to be ranked number nine among the highest paying jobs in the US, again according to US News.

So what exactly is the average annual salary of a dentist living in America? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary of dentists amounts to a massive $172,350, while the number of dentists employed in the country is 100,080. However, this number is not enough to fulfill the needs of the nation. People are quite picky while choosing their dental care specialist. Not only are many patients absolutely terrified of visiting the dentist, they are also wary of going to someone new. They like having choices when selecting who they are going to continue with. However, there are many areas within each state of the country that have been classified as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Overall, the United States has 5,493 Dental Care HPSAs, areas in which only 39 percent of the dentist requirement is currently being met, thus creating a shortage. California contains most of these areas, while the most number of dentists needed are in Florida. So if you are a dentist looking for a job, Florida is a state where you will not be turned down. However, if you are planning to move out of the US to a foreign country, our list of the 13 Highest Paying Countries for Dentists will be of immense help. Though I suggest you to reconsider since the United States ranks quite high on that list!

Coming back to the topic at hand, let’s go through the highest paying states for dentists in America, a list we formulated taking salary numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. An interesting thing to note before we start is that while some places are certainly the highest paying for dentists, they might not be the best due to the high cost of living there. So before you make a rash decision to move your dentistry practice to another state, a bit of research on the costs you will have to bear is a wise decision, just to be sure. Now let’s begin.

11. Ohio

Average annual salary: $191,270

We kick off our list with Ohio, home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Out of all the states on our list, Ohio employs the most dentists within its boundaries with a total of 3,280.

10. Minnesota

Average annual salary: $193,320

The 1,760 dentists in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, as Minnesota is sometimes called, earn about $92.94 per hour. Definitely not bad for these specialists.

9. Oregon

Average annual salary: $193,960

The Beaver State follows Minnesota with negligible variation in the average salary. However, with this six-figure salary, dentists in Oregon can spend their days quite comfortably.

8. South Carolina

Average annual salary: $195,350

Next on the list of highest paying states for dentists is South Carolina that is not a very expensive state in general, which means that the 1,670 dentists that make their living here definitely have some room to be a little extravagant.

7. Nevada

Average annual salary: $195,360

The Silver State is head-to-head with South Carolina in the dentist remuneration department. However, since the number of dentists in Nevada is much lower, totaling up to an even 850, the state may stay ahead of its rival.

6. Wisconsin

Average annual salary: $203,570

With Wisconsin, we make a huge jump in the average salary from $195K to $203K, a difference of more than $8,000. This huge number has resulted in awarding Wisconsin the sixth spot on our list of the 11 highest paying states for dentists.

5. North Carolina

Average annual salary: $211,370

Another great leap and we land at North Carolina from $203K to $211K. North Carolina certainly has no dearth in dentists with 3,160 of them earning here.

4. North Dakota

Average annual salary: $214,450

North Dakota has recruited merely 240 dentists but pays them much more than its southern counterpart, where surprisingly dentists earn even less than the national average.

3. Alaska

Average annual salary: $217,120

Out of all the states on our list of highest paying states for dentists, Alaska employs the fewest dentists with only 200 of them working here. This is in keeping with the fact that Alaska is the least densely populated state in the country.

2. New Hampshire

Average annual salary: $217,790

The dentists of New Hampshire earn a high annual salary, but residing in a state with a cost of living of 117, their purchasing power may be at par with lower earning dentists at other states.

1. Delaware

Average annual salary: $227,160

The meager 330 dentists that reside in the Diamond State are fortunate to be paid approximately $55,000 more than the national average pay for dentists. It’s no wonder that Delaware is at the top of the list of the 11 highest paying states for dentists in America.