The cost of living in Michigan, the highest-paying state for orthodontists, is $42,187 for a single adult with no children.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released updated salary data for dental jobs to reflect 2023 information on April 3. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge updated its cost of living calculator Feb. 14.
Here is how the average annual salary for orthodontists compares to the cost of living in 15 states:
Note: Salary information was taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salary information was not available for each state. The minimum cost of living in each state was provided by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Living Wage Calculator. The cost of living is for a single adult with no children before taxes.
Alabama
Average annual salary: $273,910
Cost of living: $41,911
Arizona
Average annual salary: $150,550
Cost of living: $48,677
California
Average annual salary: $208,470
Cost of living: $56,825
Connecticut
Average annual salary: $320,500
Cost of living: $50,194
Florida
Average annual salary: $323,030
Cost of living: $46,645
Indiana
Average annual salary: $169,610
Cost of living: $42,510
Maine
Average annual salary: $164,700
Cost of living: $45,844
Michigan
Average annual salary: $329,620
Cost of living: $42,187
New York
Average annual salary: $228,010
Cost of living: $55,878
Ohio
Average annual salary: $238,120
Cost of living: $40,359
Pennsylvania
Average annual salary: $295,850
Cost of living: $45,661
South Carolina
Average annual salary: $149,660
Cost of living: $44,152
Utah
Average annual salary: $125,960
Cost of living: $46,850
Washington
Average annual salary: $294,920
Cost of living: $53,242
Wisconsin
Average annual salary: $249,760
Cost of living: $42,062