States with the Highest Wages
When you’re deciding on a career, you want to choose the career that promises the best earning potential for you and your family. But there are many different factors that can affect your earning potential. For dental assistants, income can vary greatly from state to state.
With that said, you want to live in a state that really values its dental assistants. States in the northeast have the best records for incomes in this field. Connecticut and New Hampshire are among the top five in the nation, with the average income in New Hampshire being $40,380 and Connecticut coming in at $39,250.
Farther west, the District of Columbia and Minnesota are also among the top paying states for dental assistants. D.C. is in 2nd place with dental assistants earning an average of $40,940 annually. In Minnesota, they earn an average annual income of $40,310.
The top paying state for dental assistants in the United States is a real head-scratcher. But Alaska’s dental assistants actually earn more annually than in any other state, with an average income of $41,830. Who would think there was so much income potential in the Last Frontier?
But before you pack your bags, it’s important to consider cost of living in relationship to income. For example, Alaska might boast the highest average income, but cost of living in Alaska is also high due to the climate and isolation. Always research a new area when considering a career move and don’t forget to read the fine print.
Dental Assistants Salaries for States with the Highest Employment Levels
These days you can hardly pass a newsstand without reading headlines about the state of employment in America. Needless to say, it’s a very real problem in our job market at the moment and many families are suffering because bread-winners are out of work.
However, the struggling economy hasn’t had a blanket impact on the entire country. In fact, there are states and communities that have fared quiet well during this historic downturn. More specifically, certain industries have been resilient to employment hardships.
When you’re considering a career as a dental assistant, you want to know that you’ll be able to actually find a job. Depending on the economic climate in your area, this may require relocation to a community with a stronger job market.
The West seems to have stayed strong in terms of employment levels for dental assistants. Utah, Washington, California, Idaho and Alaska boast the highest employment in this industry. Dental assistants in Utah earn the least, $26,560 on average. Dental assistants in Alaska earn the most, with an average income of $41,830.
Idaho is in 4th place with an average income of $29,200 while California and Washington compete for a spot in the middle. Dental assistants in California earn $33,910 on average while those in Washington State earn $36,710.
New job training won’t do much good if you can’t find a job in your chosen field. Before embarking on a new career, assess the employment opportunities in your area as they pertain to your industry.
