Dental Hygienists vs Home Health and Personal Care Aides: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $59,360 more per year than Home Health and Personal Care Aides professionals — that's 170.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $44,190 for Home Health and Personal Care Aides.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$25,600 – $44,190
$25,600$120,060
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $25,600 | +$40,870 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $30,370 | +$49,690 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $34,900 | +$59,360 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $37,980 | +$64,940 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $44,190 | +$75,870 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $34,990 | +$58,900 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Home Health and Personal Care Aides
3,988,140
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 Home Health and Personal Care Aides
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,690 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $44,320 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $39,790 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $39,520 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $38,360 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Home Health and Personal Care Aides?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $59,360 (170.1% 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 Home Health and Personal Care Aides?
Home Health and Personal Care Aides salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $44,190 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,900.
How many Dental Hygienists and Home Health and Personal Care Aides jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 3,988,140 Home Health and Personal Care Aides positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Home Health and Personal Care Aides to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Home Health and Personal Care Aides earns $34,900. 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