Dental Assistants vs Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals earn $3,700 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 7.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$38,130 – $75,850
$36,190$75,850
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $38,130 | $-1,940 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $45,580 | $-6,060 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $51,000 | $-3,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $61,610 | $-4,700 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $75,850 | $-14,070 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $55,100 | $-6,240 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
424,040
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 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $69,120 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $67,560 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $64,510 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $63,890 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $62,800 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,700 (7.8% 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 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salaries range from $38,130 (10th percentile) to $75,850 (90th percentile), with a median of $51,000.
How many Dental Assistants and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 424,040 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers earns $51,000. 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