Carpenters vs Dental Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Carpenters professionals earn $12,010 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 25.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Carpenters earns $98,370 compared to $61,780 for Dental Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
$36,190$98,370
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Carpenters | Dental Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,760 | $36,190 | +$2,570 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,550 | $39,520 | +$8,030 |
| Median (50th) | $59,310 | $47,300 | +$12,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,620 | $56,910 | +$18,710 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,370 | $61,780 | +$36,590 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,040 | $48,860 | +$15,180 |
Employment Numbers
Carpenters
697,740
employed nationwide
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Carpenters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $80,950 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $78,090 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,100 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $76,760 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $76,510 |
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: Carpenters or Dental Assistants?
Carpenters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $12,010 (25.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Carpenters?
Carpenters salaries range from $38,760 (10th percentile) to $98,370 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,310.
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 Carpenters and Dental Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,740 Carpenters positions and 375,430 Dental Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Dental Assistants to Carpenters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Carpenters has a median salary of $59,310 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