Dental Assistants vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Network and Computer Systems Administrators professionals earn $49,500 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 104.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $150,320 for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$60,320 – $150,320
$36,190$150,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Network and Computer Systems Administrators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $60,320 | $-24,130 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $75,860 | $-36,340 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $96,800 | $-49,500 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $123,390 | $-66,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $150,320 | $-88,540 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $101,190 | $-52,330 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
318,570
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 Network and Computer Systems Administrators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $128,620 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $127,030 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $124,050 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $119,150 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $113,030 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
Network and Computer Systems Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $49,500 (104.7% 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 Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
Network and Computer Systems Administrators salaries range from $60,320 (10th percentile) to $150,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $96,800.
How many Dental Assistants and Network and Computer Systems Administrators jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 318,570 Network and Computer Systems Administrators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Network and Computer Systems Administrators to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Network and Computer Systems Administrators earns $96,800. 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