Data Scientists vs Dental Hygienists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $18,330 more per year than Dental Hygienists professionals — that's 19.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $120,060 for Dental Hygienists.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
$63,650$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Dental Hygienists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $66,470 | $-2,820 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $80,060 | +$2,570 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $94,260 | +$18,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $102,920 | +$52,890 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $120,060 | +$74,350 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $93,890 | +$30,700 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
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: Data Scientists or Dental Hygienists?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $18,330 (19.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Dental Hygienists jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Dental Hygienists to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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