Accountants and Auditors vs Dental Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn $34,380 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 72.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $61,780 for Dental Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
$36,190$141,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Dental Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $36,190 | +$16,590 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $39,520 | +$25,140 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $47,300 | +$34,380 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $56,910 | +$49,540 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $61,780 | +$79,640 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $48,860 | +$44,660 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Dental Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $65,360 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $64,600 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $62,700 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $60,890 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $59,270 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Dental Assistants?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $34,380 (72.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Dental Assistants?
Dental Assistants salaries range from $36,190 (10th percentile) to $61,780 (90th percentile), with a median of $47,300.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Dental Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 375,430 Dental Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Dental Assistants to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Dental Assistants earns $47,300. 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