Dental Hygienists vs Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $43,260 more per year than Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals — that's 84.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$38,130 – $75,850
$38,130$120,060
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $38,130 | +$28,340 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $45,580 | +$34,480 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $51,000 | +$43,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $61,610 | +$41,310 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $75,850 | +$44,210 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $55,100 | +$38,790 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
424,040
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 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $69,120 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $67,560 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $64,510 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $63,890 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $62,800 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $43,260 (84.8% 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 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salaries range from $38,130 (10th percentile) to $75,850 (90th percentile), with a median of $51,000.
How many Dental Hygienists and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 424,040 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers earns $51,000. 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