Compliance Officers 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 $15,840 more per year than Compliance Officers professionals — that's 20.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Compliance Officers earns $130,030 compared to $120,060 for Dental Hygienists.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
$46,230$130,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Dental Hygienists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $66,470 | $-20,240 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $80,060 | $-20,930 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $94,260 | $-15,840 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $102,920 | +$1,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | $120,060 | +$9,970 |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $93,890 | $-8,910 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Compliance Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $118,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $104,000 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $102,500 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $98,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $96,280 |
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: Compliance Officers or Dental Hygienists?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $15,840 (20.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Compliance Officers?
Compliance Officers salaries range from $46,230 (10th percentile) to $130,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $78,420.
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 Compliance Officers and Dental Hygienists jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers positions and 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Dental Hygienists to Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 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