Dental Hygienists vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $17,970 more per year than Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals — that's 23.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$47,640$120,060
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $47,640 | +$18,830 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $58,980 | +$21,080 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $76,290 | +$17,970 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $97,190 | +$5,730 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $115,280 | +$4,780 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $79,320 | +$14,570 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $150,650 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $115,630 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $114,200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,630 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $17,970 (23.6% 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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries range from $47,640 (10th percentile) to $115,280 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,290.
How many Dental Hygienists and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 666,990 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $76,290. 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