Dental Hygienists vs Industrial Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $6,880 more per year than Dental Hygienists professionals — that's 7.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$66,470$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Industrial Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $70,000 | $-3,530 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $81,910 | $-1,850 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $101,140 | $-6,880 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $127,480 | $-24,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $157,140 | $-37,080 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $107,900 | $-14,010 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Industrial Engineers
350,230
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 Industrial Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $139,130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,790 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $126,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,310 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $6,880 (7.3% 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 Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers salaries range from $70,000 (10th percentile) to $157,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,140.
How many Dental Hygienists and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Industrial Engineers earns $101,140. 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