Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs Dental Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics professionals earn $2,370 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 5.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earns $80,850 compared to $61,780 for Dental Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$33,660 – $80,850
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
$33,660$80,850
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | Dental Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $33,660 | $36,190 | $-2,530 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,140 | $39,520 | $-1,380 |
| Median (50th) | $49,670 | $47,300 | +$2,370 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,660 | $56,910 | +$8,750 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,850 | $61,780 | +$19,070 |
| Mean (Average) | $55,260 | $48,860 | +$6,400 |
Employment Numbers
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
688,840
employed nationwide
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $77,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $74,590 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $64,930 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $63,590 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $62,970 |
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: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics or Dental Assistants?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $2,370 (5.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salaries range from $33,660 (10th percentile) to $80,850 (90th percentile), with a median of $49,670.
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 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics and Dental Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 688,840 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics positions and 375,430 Dental Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Dental Assistants to Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics has a median salary of $49,670 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