SalaryByCity

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians vs Dental Hygienists: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

$61,890

Median annual salary

343,040 employed nationally

Dental Hygienists

$94,260

Median annual salary

219,070 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Dental Hygienists professionals earn $32,370 more per year than Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians professionals — that's 52.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians earns $97,990 compared to $120,060 for Dental Hygienists.

Salary Range Comparison

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$38,020 – $97,990
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
$38,020$120,060

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileClinical Laboratory Technologists and TechniciansDental HygienistsDifference
10th Percentile$38,020$66,470$-28,450
25th Percentile$46,580$80,060$-33,480
Median (50th)$61,890$94,260$-32,370
75th Percentile$80,010$102,920$-22,910
90th Percentile$97,990$120,060$-22,070
Mean (Average)$65,320$93,890$-28,570

Employment Numbers

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

343,040

employed nationwide

Dental Hygienists

219,070

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$81,900
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$81,390
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$80,580
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$80,160
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$78,850

Best Cities for Dental Hygienists

CityMedian
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: Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians or Dental Hygienists?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $32,370 (52.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians?
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salaries range from $38,020 (10th percentile) to $97,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,890.
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 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians and Dental Hygienists jobs are there?
There are approximately 343,040 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians positions and 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Dental Hygienists to Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians has a median salary of $61,890 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