Dental Hygienists vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $43,700 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 86.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$120,060
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $30,500 | +$35,970 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $37,750 | +$42,310 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $50,560 | +$43,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $75,590 | +$27,330 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $96,240 | +$23,820 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $58,860 | +$35,030 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
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 Tax Preparers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $83,600 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $83,240 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $74,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $71,990 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $68,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Tax Preparers?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $43,700 (86.4% 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 Tax Preparers?
Tax Preparers salaries range from $30,500 (10th percentile) to $96,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $50,560.
How many Dental Hygienists and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Tax Preparers earns $50,560. 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