The most recent occupational employment statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that, as of May 2022, there were almost 364,000 dental assistants employed in the United States.  More than 84,000 dental assistants working in May 2022 lived in the twelve-state Southeastern U.S. region.  BLS data reveals the Southeast to be one of the weakest regions of the country for dental assistant pay.  In only two Southeastern states was the average annual mean wage for dental assistants above the profession's national average of $44,710.  Moreover, five states in the region ranked among the ten worst states in the nation for dental assistant annual mean wages, and three other Southeastern states ranked in the bottom third.  A deeper examination of May 2022 BLS data details the following about dental assistant pay in the Southeastern U.S.:

Dental Assistant Pay in the Southeastern U.S

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AL	3,710	$37,720	46th
AR	2,970	$36,570	50th
FL	22,670	$42,650	29th
GA	10,900	$41,160	36th
KY	3,320	$40,430	40th
LA	4,920	$36,180	51st
MS	2,530	$36,960	49th
NC	11,990	$45,650	19th
SC	4,820	$43,070	28th
TN	6,760	$40,990	37th
VA	8,110	$44,980	21st
WV	1,440	$37,510	47th
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 8, 2023