SalaryByCity

Dental Hygienists vs Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Dental Hygienists

$94,260

Median annual salary

219,070 employed nationally

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

$62,340

Median annual salary

1,393,310 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Dental Hygienists professionals earn $31,920 more per year than Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals — that's 51.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $102,010 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education.

Salary Range Comparison

Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$46,440 – $102,010
$46,440$120,060

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileDental HygienistsElementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationDifference
10th Percentile$66,470$46,440+$20,030
25th Percentile$80,060$50,680+$29,380
Median (50th)$94,260$62,340+$31,920
75th Percentile$102,920$79,410+$23,510
90th Percentile$120,060$102,010+$18,050
Mean (Average)$93,890$69,790+$24,100

Employment Numbers

Dental Hygienists

219,070

employed nationwide

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

1,393,310

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Dental Hygienists

CityMedian
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 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

CityMedian
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$100,580
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$99,970
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$99,780
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$98,890
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$98,270

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $31,920 (51.2% 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 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salaries range from $46,440 (10th percentile) to $102,010 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,340.
How many Dental Hygienists and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 1,393,310 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earns $62,340. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

Career Resources

Career Change Resources

Explore tools and guides for transitioning between careers.

Professional Certifications

Find certifications that can boost your earning potential.

Online Degree Programs

Browse accredited online degrees relevant to these careers.

Resume Writing Services

Get professional help crafting a standout resume.

Explore More

Cost of Living by CityCollege & University DataSalary Calculators

Was this data helpful?

Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS