Dental Hygienists vs Firefighters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $34,730 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 58.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $101,330 for Firefighters.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
$34,490$120,060
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Firefighters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $34,490 | +$31,980 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $44,180 | +$35,880 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $59,530 | +$34,730 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $77,410 | +$25,510 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $101,330 | +$18,730 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $63,890 | +$30,000 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Firefighters
332,240
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 Firefighters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $164,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $121,270 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $108,320 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,250 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $102,220 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Firefighters?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $34,730 (58.3% 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 Firefighters?
Firefighters salaries range from $34,490 (10th percentile) to $101,330 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,530.
How many Dental Hygienists and Firefighters jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 332,240 Firefighters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Firefighters to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Firefighters earns $59,530. 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