Dental Assistants vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $85,780 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 181.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$36,190$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $79,850 | $-43,660 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $103,050 | $-63,530 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $133,080 | $-85,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $169,000 | $-112,090 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $211,450 | $-149,670 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $144,570 | $-95,710 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $85,780 (181.4% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Dental Assistants and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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