Pay by state / Washington
WA · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental pay in Washington
Washington's 6,330 dental hygienists earned a mean of $131,530 in May 2025, 33% above the US mean and number 1 of 50 states. Salaried general dentists averaged $195,810 (+2% against the US), and orthodontists $276,250. Dental assistants earned $56,680.
- 1Dental hygienists $131,530
- 2General dentists $195,810
- 3Orthodontists $276,250
- 4Dental assistants $56,680
| Occupation | Employed | Per 1,000 jobs | WA mean | US mean | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontists | 290 | 0.081 | $276,250 | $259,400 | +6% |
| General dentists | 3,240 | 0.912 | $195,810 | $191,350 | +2% |
| Dental hygienists | 6,330 | 1.782 | $131,530 | $98,990 | +33% |
| Dental assistants | 13,050 | 3.676 | $56,680 | $50,200 | +13% |
How Washington ranks
- Orthodontists: number 11 of 19 published states for mean pay ($276,250, median $290,430), with 0.081 per 1,000 jobs.
- General dentists: number 21 of 47 published states for mean pay ($195,810, median $169,730), with 0.912 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental hygienists: number 1 of 50 published states for mean pay ($131,530, median $131,160), with 1.782 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental assistants: number 6 of 50 published states for mean pay ($56,680, median $58,090), with 3.676 per 1,000 jobs.
Washington and the Pacific division
Among the 5 Pacific jurisdictions with published figures, Washington ranks 1 for dental hygienists' pay; half of its hygienists earn more than $131,160 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.
| Pacific | Hygienists | Dentists | Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $122,560 | $215,360 | $55,220 |
| California | $128,110 | $170,690 | $54,710 |
| Hawaii | $93,660 | $227,370 | $43,180 |
| Oregon | $120,470 | $240,170 | $60,110 |
| Washington | $131,530 | $195,810 | $56,680 |
Staffing in Washington
There are 2 salaried hygienists for every salaried general dentist in Washington, 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 $188,210 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 Washington.
What it means for your braces
Orthodontists in Washington earn 6% 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.