Dental Hygienists vs Substitute Teachers, Short-Term: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $55,790 more per year than Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals — that's 145.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $63,460 for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$26,240 – $63,460
$26,240$120,060
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $26,240 | +$40,230 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $31,310 | +$48,750 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $38,470 | +$55,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $51,930 | +$50,990 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $63,460 | +$56,600 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $44,930 | +$48,960 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
481,300
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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $64,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,080 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,570 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL | $58,070 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $55,790 (145.0% 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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salaries range from $26,240 (10th percentile) to $63,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $38,470.
How many Dental Hygienists and Substitute Teachers, Short-Term jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 481,300 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Substitute Teachers, Short-Term to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Substitute Teachers, Short-Term earns $38,470. 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