Dental Hygienists vs Electrical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn $17,650 more per year than Dental Hygienists professionals — that's 18.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $175,460 for Electrical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
$66,470$175,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Electrical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $74,670 | $-8,200 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $87,590 | $-7,530 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $111,910 | $-17,650 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $141,630 | $-38,710 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $175,460 | $-55,400 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $120,980 | $-27,090 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Electrical Engineers
188,790
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Dental Hygienists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $135,010 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $131,890 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $121,310 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $120,300 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $118,950 |
Best Cities for Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $17,650 (18.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Dental Hygienists?
Dental Hygienists salaries range from $66,470 (10th percentile) to $120,060 (90th percentile), with a median of $94,260.
What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
How many Dental Hygienists and Electrical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Electrical Engineers to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Electrical Engineers earns $111,910. 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