Dental Assistants vs Pharmacy Technicians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Assistants professionals earn $3,840 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 8.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$35,100$61,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $35,100 | +$1,090 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $36,920 | +$2,600 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $43,460 | +$3,840 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $48,580 | +$8,330 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $59,450 | +$2,330 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $44,800 | +$4,060 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
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 Pharmacy Technicians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $70,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $61,990 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,960 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $55,810 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $54,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Pharmacy Technicians?
Dental Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,840 (8.8% 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 Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy Technicians salaries range from $35,100 (10th percentile) to $59,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,460.
How many Dental Assistants and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Pharmacy Technicians earns $43,460. 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