Accountants and Auditors vs Dental Hygienists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $12,580 more per year than Accountants and Auditors professionals — that's 15.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $120,060 for Dental Hygienists.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
$52,780$141,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Dental Hygienists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $66,470 | $-13,690 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $80,060 | $-15,400 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $94,260 | $-12,580 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $102,920 | +$3,530 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $120,060 | +$21,360 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $93,890 | $-370 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Dental Hygienists
219,070
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 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Dental Hygienists?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $12,580 (15.4% 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 Hygienists?
Dental Hygienists salaries range from $66,470 (10th percentile) to $120,060 (90th percentile), with a median of $94,260.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Dental Hygienists jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Dental Hygienists to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Dental Hygienists earns $94,260. 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