Carpenters vs Dental Hygienists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $34,950 more per year than Carpenters professionals — that's 58.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Carpenters earns $98,370 compared to $120,060 for Dental Hygienists.
Salary Range Comparison
Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
$38,760$120,060
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Carpenters | Dental Hygienists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,760 | $66,470 | $-27,710 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,550 | $80,060 | $-32,510 |
| Median (50th) | $59,310 | $94,260 | $-34,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,620 | $102,920 | $-27,300 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,370 | $120,060 | $-21,690 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,040 | $93,890 | $-29,850 |
Employment Numbers
Carpenters
697,740
employed nationwide
Dental Hygienists
219,070
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 Hygienists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $135,010 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $131,890 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $121,310 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $120,300 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $118,950 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Carpenters or Dental Hygienists?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $34,950 (58.9% 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 Hygienists?
Dental Hygienists salaries range from $66,470 (10th percentile) to $120,060 (90th percentile), with a median of $94,260.
How many Carpenters and Dental Hygienists jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,740 Carpenters positions and 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Dental Hygienists to Carpenters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Carpenters has a median salary of $59,310 while Dental Hygienists earns $94,260. 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