Dental Assistants vs Engineers, All Other: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn $70,450 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 148.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $183,510 for Engineers, All Other.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Engineers, All Other$62,840 – $183,510
$36,190$183,510
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Engineers, All Other | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $62,840 | $-26,650 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $85,750 | $-46,230 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $117,750 | $-70,450 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $152,670 | $-95,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $183,510 | $-121,730 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $121,720 | $-72,860 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Engineers, All Other
150,750
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 Engineers, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $162,610 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $157,770 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $156,140 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $132,840 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $131,250 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Engineers, All Other?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $70,450 (148.9% 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 Engineers, All Other?
Engineers, All Other salaries range from $62,840 (10th percentile) to $183,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $117,750.
How many Dental Assistants and Engineers, All Other jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 150,750 Engineers, All Other positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Engineers, All Other to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Engineers, All Other earns $117,750. 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