Pay by state / Alabama
AL · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental pay in Alabama
Alabama's 3,170 dental hygienists earned a mean of $60,850 in May 2025, 39% below the US mean and number 50 of 50 states. BLS's May 2025 state file has no row for Alabama's general dentists, and orthodontists $246,170. Dental assistants earned $41,710.
- 1Dental hygienists $60,850
- 2General dentists not published
- 3Orthodontists $246,170
- 4Dental assistants $41,710
| Occupation | Employed | Per 1,000 jobs | AL mean | US mean | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontists | – | – | $246,170 | $259,400 | -5% |
| General dentists | – | – | – | $191,350 | – |
| Dental hygienists | 3,170 | 1.497 | $60,850 | $98,990 | -39% |
| Dental assistants | 3,740 | 1.769 | $41,710 | $50,200 | -17% |
How Alabama ranks
- Orthodontists: number 14 of 19 published states for mean pay ($246,170, median $253,670).
- General dentists: no row at all in the BLS May 2025 state file for Alabama.
- Dental hygienists: number 50 of 50 published states for mean pay ($60,850, median $61,160), with 1.497 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental assistants: number 48 of 50 published states for mean pay ($41,710, median $39,080), with 1.769 per 1,000 jobs.
Alabama and the East South Central division
Among the 4 East South Central jurisdictions with published figures, Alabama ranks 4 for dental hygienists' pay; half of its hygienists earn more than $61,160 and half less. The Census Bureau groups these states as a division, which makes a fairer comparison than the national figure when living costs differ by region.
| East South Central | Hygienists | Dentists | Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $60,850 | – | $41,710 |
| Kentucky | $78,950 | $157,630 | $48,440 |
| Mississippi | $68,630 | $149,300 | $42,910 |
| Tennessee | $87,420 | $210,700 | $49,670 |
Staffing in Alabama
Owners of practices are not counted in these BLS figures, so dentist and orthodontist numbers understate how many work in Alabama.
What it means for your braces
Orthodontists in Alabama earn 5% less than the US mean. Wages are one input to what practices charge, alongside rent, equipment and competition, so they explain only part of why quotes differ. Your quote is what matters: put it, your insurance's orthodontic benefit and your FSA or HSA plans into the calculator.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state and national files). “–” = not published by BLS. Checked 2026-10-24. Methodology.