SalaryByCity

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians vs Dental Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

$61,890

Median annual salary

343,040 employed nationally

Dental Assistants

$47,300

Median annual salary

375,430 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians professionals earn $14,590 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 30.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians earns $97,990 compared to $61,780 for Dental Assistants.

Salary Range Comparison

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$38,020 – $97,990
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
$36,190$97,990

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileClinical Laboratory Technologists and TechniciansDental AssistantsDifference
10th Percentile$38,020$36,190+$1,830
25th Percentile$46,580$39,520+$7,060
Median (50th)$61,890$47,300+$14,590
75th Percentile$80,010$56,910+$23,100
90th Percentile$97,990$61,780+$36,210
Mean (Average)$65,320$48,860+$16,460

Employment Numbers

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

343,040

employed nationwide

Dental Assistants

375,430

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$81,900
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$81,390
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$80,580
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$80,160
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$78,850

Best Cities for Dental Assistants

CityMedian
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: Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians or Dental Assistants?
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $14,590 (30.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians?
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salaries range from $38,020 (10th percentile) to $97,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,890.
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 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians and Dental Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 343,040 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians positions and 375,430 Dental Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Dental Assistants to Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians has a median salary of $61,890 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