Data published recently by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that over 363,800 dental assistants were working in the United States as of May 2022.  More than 49,000 dental assistants employed in May 2022 lived in the five-state Great Lakes region of the country.  BLS data reveals the Great Lakes region to be a relatively weak one for dental assistant pay, with only Ohio recording an annual mean wage level for dental assistants that topped the national average of $44,710.  Further examination of May 2022 BLS data shows the following about dental assistant pay in the Great Lakes region:

Dental Assistant Pay in the Great Lakes Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
IL	12,940	$41,290	34th
IN	6,950	$43,920	26th
MI	11,390	$42,040	32nd
OH	11,460	$46,860	14th
WI	6,550	$44,140	25th
U.S.	363,880	$44,710	-------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on October 21, 2023