Dental Hygienists vs Food Service Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $28,950 more per year than Food Service Managers professionals — that's 44.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $105,420 for Food Service Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
$42,380$120,060
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Food Service Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $42,380 | +$24,090 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $53,090 | +$26,970 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $65,310 | +$28,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $82,300 | +$20,620 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $105,420 | +$14,640 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $72,370 | +$21,520 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Food Service Managers
244,230
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 Food Service Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $95,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $86,840 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $84,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $82,570 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $82,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Food Service Managers?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $28,950 (44.3% 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 Food Service Managers?
Food Service Managers salaries range from $42,380 (10th percentile) to $105,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,310.
How many Dental Hygienists and Food Service Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 244,230 Food Service Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Food Service Managers to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Food Service Managers earns $65,310. 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