The most recent occupational employment statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that, as of May 2024, there were almost 288,000 dental assistants employed in the United States.  More than 86,000 dental assistants working in May 2024 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 one Southeastern states was the average annual mean wage for dental assistants above the profession's national average of $48,225.  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 2024 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	4,450	$39,600	49th
AR	3,020	$40,730	46th
FL	23,020	$46,670	30th
GA	9,730	$45,510	36th
KY	4,250	$45,720	35th
LA	4,420	$41,450	45th
MS	2,690	$40,160	48th
NC	11,100	$49,270	21st
SC	5,380	$45,890	34th
TN	6,370	$46,680	29th
VA	11,040	$47,900	25th
WV	1,380	$39,280	50th
U.S.	287,780	$48,225	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on August 27, 2025