Pay by state / Montana
MT · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental pay in Montana
Montana's 860 dental hygienists earned a mean of $96,730 in May 2025, 2% below the US mean and number 20 of 50 states. Salaried general dentists averaged $168,460 (-12% against the US), and orthodontists $257,230. Dental assistants earned $47,180.
- 1Dental hygienists $96,730
- 2General dentists $168,460
- 3Orthodontists $257,230
- 4Dental assistants $47,180
| Occupation | Employed | Per 1,000 jobs | MT mean | US mean | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontists | – | – | $257,230 | $259,400 | -1% |
| General dentists | 380 | 0.749 | $168,460 | $191,350 | -12% |
| Dental hygienists | 860 | 1.678 | $96,730 | $98,990 | -2% |
| Dental assistants | 1,450 | 2.839 | $47,180 | $50,200 | -6% |
How Montana ranks
- Orthodontists: number 13 of 19 published states for mean pay ($257,230, median $312,840).
- General dentists: number 39 of 47 published states for mean pay ($168,460, median $167,200), with 0.749 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental hygienists: number 20 of 50 published states for mean pay ($96,730, median $98,440), with 1.678 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental assistants: number 35 of 50 published states for mean pay ($47,180, median $46,680), with 2.839 per 1,000 jobs.
Montana and the Mountain division
Among the 8 Mountain jurisdictions with published figures, Montana ranks 4 for dental hygienists' pay; half of its hygienists earn more than $98,440 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 Montana
There are 2.3 salaried hygienists for every salaried general dentist in Montana, more than the national ratio of about 1.8 — hygienists carry more of the routine work here. A practice here employing one hygienist and one assistant at the state's mean wages pays $143,910 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 Montana.
What it means for your braces
Orthodontists in Montana earn 1% 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.