Dental Assistants vs Nurse Practitioners: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn $81,910 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 173.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $169,950 for Nurse Practitioners.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
$36,190$169,950
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Nurse Practitioners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $97,960 | $-61,770 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $109,940 | $-70,420 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $129,210 | $-81,910 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $149,570 | $-92,660 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $169,950 | $-108,170 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $132,000 | $-83,140 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
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 Nurse Practitioners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $225,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $220,330 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $164,520 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $164,510 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $162,470 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $81,910 (173.2% 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 Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners salaries range from $97,960 (10th percentile) to $169,950 (90th percentile), with a median of $129,210.
How many Dental Assistants and Nurse Practitioners jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Nurse Practitioners to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Nurse Practitioners earns $129,210. 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