Pay by state / Colorado
CO · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental pay in Colorado
Colorado's 4,270 dental hygienists earned a mean of $110,030 in May 2025, 11% above the US mean and number 7 of 50 states. Salaried general dentists averaged $160,810 (-16% against the US), and orthodontists $404,120. Dental assistants earned $50,230.
- 1Dental hygienists $110,030
- 2General dentists $160,810
- 3Orthodontists $404,120
- 4Dental assistants $50,230
| Occupation | Employed | Per 1,000 jobs | CO mean | US mean | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontists | 160 | 0.054 | $404,120 | $259,400 | +56% |
| General dentists | 2,940 | 1.023 | $160,810 | $191,350 | -16% |
| Dental hygienists | 4,270 | 1.486 | $110,030 | $98,990 | +11% |
| Dental assistants | 8,360 | 2.908 | $50,230 | $50,200 | 0% |
How Colorado ranks
- Orthodontists: number 2 of 19 published states for mean pay ($404,120, median $416,000), with 0.054 per 1,000 jobs.
- General dentists: number 42 of 47 published states for mean pay ($160,810, median $166,240), with 1.023 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental hygienists: number 7 of 50 published states for mean pay ($110,030, median $109,580), with 1.486 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental assistants: number 21 of 50 published states for mean pay ($50,230, median $48,340), with 2.908 per 1,000 jobs.
Colorado and the Mountain division
Among the 8 Mountain jurisdictions with published figures, Colorado ranks 2 for dental hygienists' pay; half of its hygienists earn more than $109,580 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.
| Mountain | Hygienists | Dentists | Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $101,450 | $181,040 | $50,280 |
| Colorado | $110,030 | $160,810 | $50,230 |
| Idaho | $95,500 | $139,320 | $47,250 |
| Montana | $96,730 | $168,460 | $47,180 |
| Nevada | $114,360 | $178,460 | $45,880 |
| New Mexico | $94,890 | $185,010 | $45,130 |
| Utah | $87,770 | $144,880 | $40,550 |
| Wyoming | $82,320 | $146,240 | $44,100 |
Staffing in Colorado
There are 1.5 salaried hygienists for every salaried general dentist in Colorado, fewer than the national ratio of about 1.8. A practice here employing one hygienist and one assistant at the state's mean wages pays $160,260 a year in their salaries alone, before benefits. Owners of practices are not counted in these BLS figures, so dentist and orthodontist numbers understate how many work in Colorado.
What it means for your braces
Orthodontists in Colorado earn 56% more 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.