Dental Hygienists vs Insurance Sales Agents: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $33,890 more per year than Insurance Sales Agents professionals — that's 56.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $135,660 for Insurance Sales Agents.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Insurance Sales Agents$36,390 – $135,660
$36,390$135,660
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Insurance Sales Agents | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $36,390 | +$30,080 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $45,520 | +$34,540 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $60,370 | +$33,890 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $91,150 | +$11,770 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $135,660 | $-15,600 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $81,510 | +$12,380 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Insurance Sales Agents
469,480
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 Insurance Sales Agents
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $81,890 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $79,860 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $78,130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $77,630 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $76,570 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Insurance Sales Agents?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $33,890 (56.1% 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 Insurance Sales Agents?
Insurance Sales Agents salaries range from $36,390 (10th percentile) to $135,660 (90th percentile), with a median of $60,370.
How many Dental Hygienists and Insurance Sales Agents jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 469,480 Insurance Sales Agents positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Insurance Sales Agents to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Insurance Sales Agents earns $60,370. 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