Dental Assistants vs Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Median annual salary
1,266,860 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products professionals earn $19,480 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 41.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $134,470 for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $37,860 | $-1,670 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $49,040 | $-9,520 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $66,780 | $-19,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $97,570 | $-40,660 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $134,470 | $-72,690 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $81,470 | $-32,610 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
1,266,860
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 Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $99,690 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $83,740 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $81,150 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $79,520 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $78,580 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products?
What is the salary range for Dental Assistants?
What is the salary range for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products?
How many Dental Assistants and Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products to Dental Assistants?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS