Dental Hygienists vs Loan Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $20,080 more per year than Loan Officers professionals — that's 27.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $145,780 for Loan Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Loan Officers$38,490 – $145,780
$38,490$145,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Loan Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $38,490 | +$27,980 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $50,460 | +$29,600 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $74,180 | +$20,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $101,920 | +$1,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $145,780 | $-25,720 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $86,020 | +$7,870 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Loan Officers
290,530
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 Loan Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $102,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $94,850 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $94,840 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $94,110 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $91,900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Loan Officers?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $20,080 (27.1% 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 Loan Officers?
Loan Officers salaries range from $38,490 (10th percentile) to $145,780 (90th percentile), with a median of $74,180.
How many Dental Hygienists and Loan Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 290,530 Loan Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Loan Officers to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Loan Officers earns $74,180. 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