Pay by state / Missouri
MO · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental pay in Missouri
Missouri's 3,810 dental hygienists earned a mean of $88,430 in May 2025, 11% below the US mean and number 36 of 50 states. Salaried general dentists averaged $241,580 (+26% against the US), and orthodontists $295,460. Dental assistants earned $46,790.
- 1Dental hygienists $88,430
- 2General dentists $241,580
- 3Orthodontists $295,460
- 4Dental assistants $46,790
| Occupation | Employed | Per 1,000 jobs | MO mean | US mean | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontists | – | – | $295,460 | $259,400 | +14% |
| General dentists | 2,440 | 0.83 | $241,580 | $191,350 | +26% |
| Dental hygienists | 3,810 | 1.297 | $88,430 | $98,990 | -11% |
| Dental assistants | 6,760 | 2.303 | $46,790 | $50,200 | -7% |
How Missouri ranks
- Orthodontists: number 8 of 19 published states for mean pay ($295,460, median $332,630).
- General dentists: number 1 of 47 published states for mean pay ($241,580, median $204,960), with 0.83 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental hygienists: number 36 of 50 published states for mean pay ($88,430, median $92,750), with 1.297 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental assistants: number 37 of 50 published states for mean pay ($46,790, median $45,970), with 2.303 per 1,000 jobs.
Missouri and the West North Central division
Among the 6 West North Central jurisdictions with published figures, Missouri ranks 5 for dental hygienists' pay; half of its hygienists earn more than $92,750 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. Not in the May 2025 BLS state file: KS.
| West North Central | Hygienists | Dentists | Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $86,640 | $198,470 | $50,450 |
| Minnesota | $103,830 | $211,780 | $64,740 |
| Missouri | $88,430 | $241,580 | $46,790 |
| Nebraska | $88,990 | $186,420 | $46,430 |
| North Dakota | $89,750 | $222,340 | $56,450 |
| South Dakota | $89,180 | $164,030 | $50,170 |
Staffing in Missouri
There are 1.6 salaried hygienists for every salaried general dentist in Missouri, close to the national ratio of about 1.8. A practice here employing one hygienist and one assistant at the state's mean wages pays $135,220 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 Missouri.
What it means for your braces
Orthodontists in Missouri earn 14% 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.