Dental practice employees play a vital role in the success of any dental practice. They are responsible for a wide range of tasks, from providing patient care to managing the office.Â
When opening a dental practice, it is important to prepare a budget and understand the salaries you will need to pay before hiring your employees. We highlight six common roles in dental practices, including dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental office receptionists, dental office managers, and billing specialists.
Average Salary For Dental Practice Employees
- Dentist – $174,642
- Dental Hygienist – $86,620
- Dental Assistant – $39,712
- Dental Office Receptionist – $45,862
- Dental Office Manager – $60,129
- Billing Specialist – $49,081
Average Dentist Salary By State
The average salary for a dentist in the United States is $174,642 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. However, salaries can vary depending on experience, location, and specialty.Â
For example, dentists in private practice typically earn more than those who work for dental schools or hospitals. Dentists who specialize in orthodontics or pediatric dentistry also tend to earn higher salaries.
According to ZipRecruiter, average dentist salary by state is as follows:
- Alabama – $136,127
- Alaska – $184,518
- Arizona – $156,278
- Arkansas – $157,112
- California – $162,709
- Colorado – $165,433
- Connecticut – $157,799
- Delaware – $163,172
- District of Columbia – $181,410
- Florida – $128,222
- Georgia – $125,240
- Hawaii – $196,667
- Idaho – $165,584
- Illinois – $154,922
- Indiana – $150,894Â
- Iowa – $143,648
- Kansas – $166,678
- Kentucky – $165,900
- Louisiana – $123,161
- Maine – $154,340
- Maryland – $172,970
- Massachusetts – $191,895
- Michigan – $154,154
- Minnesota – $153,830
- Mississippi – $163,614
- Missouri – $152,008
- Montana – $149,245
- Nebraska – $162,346
- Nevada – $193,743
- New Hampshire – $163,777
- New Jersey – $155,914
- New Mexico – $137,466
- New York – $176,841
- North Carolina – $135,229
- North Dakota – $181,997
- Ohio – $144,909
- Oklahoma – $155,127
- Oregon – $186,767
- Pennsylvania – $145,516
- Rhode Island – $187,075
- South Carolina – $161,385
- South Dakota – $174,528
- Tennessee – $160,009
- Texas – $147,001
- Utah – $142,727
- Vermont – $160,836
- Virginia – $168,176
- Washington – $180,248
- West Virginia – $149,060
- Wisconsin – $145,181
- Wyoming – $155,032
Average Dental Hygienist Salary By State
The average salary for a dental hygienist is $86,620 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. Hygienists are responsible for providing preventive care, such as cleaning teeth and educating patients about oral health. They also assist dentists with procedures, such as fillings and root canals.
According to ZipRecruiter, average dental hygienist salary by state is as follows:
- Alabama – $75,674
- Alaska – $75,329
- Arizona – $76,576
- Arkansas – $70,271
- California – $81,655
- Colorado – $69,809
- Connecticut – $75,902
- Delaware – $88,010
- Florida – $62,827
- Georgia – $61,367
- Hawaii – $86,144
- Idaho – $87,529
- Illinois – $65,134
- Indiana – $78,083
- Iowa – $75,948
- Kansas – $73,011
- Kentucky – $69,373
- Louisiana – $59,569
- Maine – $83,365
- Maryland – $89,502
- Massachusetts – $79,848
- Michigan – $65,109
- Minnesota – $79,997
- Mississippi – $71,481
- Missouri – $74,538
- Montana – $73,130
- Nebraska – $83,804
- Nevada – $73,951
- New Hampshire – $77,169
- New Jersey – $75,877
- New Mexico – $75,552
- New York – $94,237
- North Carolina – $69,573
- North Dakota – $65,176
- Ohio – $70,159
- Oklahoma – $87,273
- Oregon – $74,964
- Pennsylvania – $71,562
- Rhode Island – $76,648
- South Carolina – $63,981
- South Dakota – $81,480
- Tennessee – $77,472
- Texas – $74,092
- Utah – $74,324
- Vermont – $79,371
- Virginia – $86,813
- Washington – $98,816
- West Virginia – $73,304
- Wisconsin – $70,456
- Wyoming – $76,137
Average Dental Assistant Salary By State
The average salary for a dental assistant is $39,712 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. Assistants perform a variety of tasks, such as scheduling appointments, preparing patients for treatment, and sterilizing equipment. They also may assist dentists with procedures.
According to ZipRecruiter, average dental assistant salary by state is as follows:
- Alabama – $34,693
- Alaska – $35,325
- Arizona – $35,910
- Arkansas – $32,216
- California – $38,291
- Colorado – $32,736
- Connecticut – $35,594
- Delaware – $40,348
- Florida – $29,462
- Georgia – $28,777
- Hawaii – $39,493
- Idaho – $40,128
- Illinois – $30,545
- Indiana – $35,798
- Iowa – $34,819
- Kansas – $33,472
- Kentucky – $32,533
- Louisiana – $27,935
- Maine – $38,219
- Maryland – $41,971
- Massachusetts – $37,444
- Michigan – $30,532
- Minnesota – $36,675
- Mississippi – $32,771
- Missouri – $34,173
- Montana – $34,293
- Nebraska – $39,300
- Nevada – $33,903
- New Hampshire – $35,379
- New Jersey – $35,582
- New Mexico – $34,638
- New York – $43,204
- North Carolina – $31,896
- North Dakota – $29,881
- Ohio – $32,900
- Oklahoma – $40,011
- Oregon – $35,154
- Pennsylvania – $33,558
- Rhode Island – $35,140
- South Carolina – $29,332
- South Dakota – $37,355
- Tennessee – $36,330
- Texas – $34,745
- Utah – $34,074
- Vermont – $37,220
- Virginia – $40,711
- Washington – $45,304
- West Virginia – $34,376
- Wisconsin – $33,039
Average Dental Office Receptionist Salary By State
The average salary for a front office receptionist is $45,862 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. Receptionists are responsible for greeting patients, answering phones, and scheduling appointments. They also may be responsible for billing and insurance processing.
According to ZipRecruiter, average dental office receptionist salary by state is as follows:
- Alabama – $38,279
- Alaska – $38,160
- Arizona – $32,812
- Arkansas – $40,975
- California – $34,030
- Colorado – $34,373
- Connecticut – $39,774
- Delaware – $41,743
- Florida – $26,921
- Georgia – $26,295
- Hawaii – $51,983
- Idaho – $42,952
- Illinois – $32,172
- Indiana – $39,499
- Iowa – $39,105
- Kansas – $44,547
- Kentucky – $34,425
- Louisiana – $25,912
- Maine – $41,159
- Maryland – $35,992
- Massachusetts – $39,792
- Michigan – $32,034
- Minnesota – $41,080
- Mississippi – $43,641
- Missouri – $43,128
- Montana – $31,335
- Nebraska – $33,795
- Nevada – $44,223
- New Hampshire – $38,797
- New Jersey – $32,771
- New Mexico – $38,636
- New York – $47,462
- North Carolina – $40,308
- North Dakota – $39,406
- Ohio – $30,483
- Oklahoma – $41,547
- Oregon – $38,534
- Pennsylvania – $30,534
- Rhode Island – $46,511
- South Carolina – $37,067
- South Dakota – $49,265
- Tennessee – $33,659
- Texas – $30,723
- Utah – $38,195
- Vermont – $33,731
- Virginia – $35,008
- Washington – $48,197
- West Virginia – $31,278
- Wisconsin – $30,529
- Wyoming – $32,539
Average Dental Office Manager Salary By State
According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a dental office manager is $60,129. Dental office managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a dental office. They oversee the administrative and clinical staff, manage patient scheduling, and ensure that the office runs smoothly.
According to ZipRecruiter, average dental office manager salary by state is as follows:
- Alabama – $49,999
- Alaska – $55,147
- Arizona – $47,870
- Arkansas – $53,154
- California – $49,529
- Colorado – $49,823
- Connecticut – $57,282
- Delaware – $54,213
- Florida – $39,276
- Georgia – $38,363
- Hawaii – $67,196
- Idaho – $55,953
- Illinois – $46,618
- Indiana – $51,590
- Iowa – $61,782
- Kansas – $57,519
- Kentucky – $49,859
- Louisiana – $37,852
- Maine – $53,648
- Maryland – $52,217
- Massachusetts – $57,605
- Michigan – $46,436
- Minnesota – $53,724
- Mississippi – $56,344
- Missouri – $55,992
- Montana – $45,716
- Nebraska – $49,042
- Nevada – $57,217
- New Hampshire – $50,648
- New Jersey – $47,843
- New Mexico – $50,511
- New York – $61,970
- North Carolina – $52,324
- North Dakota – $50,928
- Ohio – $44,525
- Oklahoma – $53,977
- Oregon – $55,606
- Pennsylvania – $44,532
- Rhode Island – $60,088
- South Carolina – $48,119
- South Dakota – $63,668
- Tennessee – $49,164
- Texas – $44,695
- Utah – $61,054
- Vermont – $49,176
- Virginia – $50,802
- Washington – $62,753
- West Virginia – $45,617
- Wisconsin – $44,581
- Wyoming – $47,461
Average Billing Specialist Salary By State
Billing specialists have an average salary of $49,081, according to ZipRecruiter. They are responsible for processing patient insurance claims, ensuring that payments are received in a timely manner, and maintaining accurate patient records. As a result of their important work, dental billing specialists earn a competitive salary.
According to ZipRecruiter, average billing specialist salary by state is as follows:
- Alabama – $53,585
- Alaska – $58,143
- Arizona – $61,516
- Arkansas – $50,687
- California – $54,533
- Colorado – $53,507
- Connecticut – $59,088
- Delaware – $53,158
- Florida – $50,471
- Georgia – $49,297
- Hawaii – $61,465
- Idaho – $55,386
- Illinois – $49,963
- Indiana – $59,397
- Iowa – $54,267
- Kansas – $51,572
- Kentucky – $53,275
- Louisiana – $46,819
- Maine – $51,864
- Maryland – $56,392
- Massachusetts – $61,383
- Michigan – $49,895
- Minnesota – $58,478
- Mississippi – $50,595
- Missouri – $49,377
- Montana – $58,748
- Nebraska – $53,046
- Nevada – $61,052
- New Hampshire – $65,376
- New Jersey – $60,262
- New Mexico – $52,767
- New York – $70,307
- North Carolina – $43,873
- North Dakota – $56,779
- Ohio – $55,237
- Oklahoma – $50,687
- Oregon – $58,074
- Pennsylvania – $57,834
- Rhode Island – $58,170
- South Carolina – $52,359
- South Dakota – $54,448
- Tennessee – $60,995
- Texas – $49,081
- Utah – $54,161
- Vermont – $64,508
- Virginia – $54,951
- Washington – $60,015
- West Virginia – $59,242
- Wisconsin – $55,691
- Wyoming – $61,392
Understanding Dental Practice Employee Salaries
All dental practice employees play a vital role in the success of their practice. Though salaries vary greatly based on position, experience and location, it’s important to fairly compensate your employees.
If you’re looking to start, buy or grow your dental practice, Panacea Financial is ready to help. Our specialized credit structures, competitive pricing and experienced advice will help you accelerate your practice. Explore loan options for partner buy-in, acquisition, expansion, lines of credit, equipment and more here.Â
For more dental practice-related articles, check out our Resources page or find one of our curated picks below:
- Owner vs. Associate: What To Know When Considering Dental Practice Ownership
- The Ultimate Guide To Buying A Dental Practice
- Pros & Cons: Starting A Dental Practice Vs. Buying An Existing Practice
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