Buyers and Purchasing Agents 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 $18,610 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 24.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $120,060 for Dental Hygienists.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
$46,460$127,520
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Dental Hygienists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $66,470 | $-20,010 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $80,060 | $-21,390 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $94,260 | $-18,610 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $102,920 | $-3,730 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $120,060 | +$7,460 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $93,890 | $-12,170 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Buyers and Purchasing Agents
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $103,560 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $102,140 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $93,320 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $85,980 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $84,680 |
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: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Dental Hygienists?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $18,610 (24.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Buyers and Purchasing Agents?
Buyers and Purchasing Agents salaries range from $46,460 (10th percentile) to $127,520 (90th percentile), with a median of $75,650.
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 Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Dental Hygienists jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Dental Hygienists to Buyers and Purchasing Agents?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Buyers and Purchasing Agents has a median salary of $75,650 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