Dental Hygienists vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $660 more per year than Registered Nurses professionals — that's 0.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$66,030$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $66,030 | +$440 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $78,610 | +$1,450 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $93,600 | +$660 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $107,960 | $-5,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $135,320 | $-15,260 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $98,430 | $-4,540 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
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 Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Registered Nurses?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $660 (0.7% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Dental Hygienists and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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