Dental Hygienists vs Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $36,820 more per year than Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals — that's 64.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $78,800 for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
$38,640$120,060
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $38,640 | +$27,830 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $47,230 | +$32,830 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $57,440 | +$36,820 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $65,520 | +$37,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $78,800 | +$41,260 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $58,400 | +$35,490 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
2,070,480
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 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $65,220 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $36,820 (64.1% 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 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salaries range from $38,640 (10th percentile) to $78,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $57,440.
How many Dental Hygienists and Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 2,070,480 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earns $57,440. 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