Dental Hygienists vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $28,410 more per year than Training and Development Specialists professionals — that's 43.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$37,510$120,190
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $37,510 | +$28,960 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $48,900 | +$31,160 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $65,850 | +$28,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $91,550 | +$11,370 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $120,190 | $-130 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $73,760 | +$20,130 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
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 Training and Development Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,710 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $92,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,330 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $79,210 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Training and Development Specialists?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $28,410 (43.1% 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 Training and Development Specialists?
Training and Development Specialists salaries range from $37,510 (10th percentile) to $120,190 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,850.
How many Dental Hygienists and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 436,610 Training and Development Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Training and Development Specialists to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Training and Development Specialists earns $65,850. 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