Dental Assistants vs Emergency Management Directors: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Emergency Management Directors professionals earn $38,830 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 82.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $160,420 for Emergency Management Directors.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Emergency Management Directors$51,260 – $160,420
$36,190$160,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Emergency Management Directors | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $51,260 | $-15,070 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $64,470 | $-24,950 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $86,130 | $-38,830 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $119,690 | $-62,780 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $160,420 | $-98,640 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $97,700 | $-48,840 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Emergency Management Directors
12,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Emergency Management Directors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $156,950 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $153,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $139,630 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $138,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,860 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Emergency Management Directors?
Emergency Management Directors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $38,830 (82.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Emergency Management Directors?
Emergency Management Directors salaries range from $51,260 (10th percentile) to $160,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $86,130.
How many Dental Assistants and Emergency Management Directors jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 12,570 Emergency Management Directors positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Emergency Management Directors to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Emergency Management Directors earns $86,130. 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