Budget Analysts vs Dental Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Budget Analysts professionals earn $40,630 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 85.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Budget Analysts earns $134,640 compared to $61,780 for Dental Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Budget Analysts$60,510 – $134,640
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
$36,190$134,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Budget Analysts | Dental Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,510 | $36,190 | +$24,320 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,240 | $39,520 | +$32,720 |
| Median (50th) | $87,930 | $47,300 | +$40,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,380 | $56,910 | +$53,470 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,640 | $61,780 | +$72,860 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,920 | $48,860 | +$45,060 |
Employment Numbers
Budget Analysts
47,170
employed nationwide
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Budget Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $141,590 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $125,170 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $121,890 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $103,960 |
Best Cities for Dental Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $65,360 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $64,600 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $62,700 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $60,890 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $59,270 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Budget Analysts or Dental Assistants?
Budget Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $40,630 (85.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Budget Analysts?
Budget Analysts salaries range from $60,510 (10th percentile) to $134,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $87,930.
What is the salary range for Dental Assistants?
Dental Assistants salaries range from $36,190 (10th percentile) to $61,780 (90th percentile), with a median of $47,300.
How many Budget Analysts and Dental Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 47,170 Budget Analysts positions and 375,430 Dental Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Dental Assistants to Budget Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Budget Analysts has a median salary of $87,930 while Dental Assistants earns $47,300. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS