Dental Assistants vs Firefighters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Firefighters professionals earn $12,230 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 25.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $101,330 for Firefighters.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
$34,490$101,330
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Firefighters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $34,490 | +$1,700 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $44,180 | $-4,660 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $59,530 | $-12,230 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $77,410 | $-20,500 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $101,330 | $-39,550 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $63,890 | $-15,030 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Firefighters
332,240
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 Firefighters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $164,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $121,270 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $108,320 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,250 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $102,220 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Firefighters?
Firefighters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $12,230 (25.9% 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 Firefighters?
Firefighters salaries range from $34,490 (10th percentile) to $101,330 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,530.
How many Dental Assistants and Firefighters jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 332,240 Firefighters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Firefighters to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Firefighters earns $59,530. 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