Construction Managers vs Dental Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Construction Managers professionals earn $59,680 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 126.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Construction Managers earns $176,990 compared to $61,780 for Dental Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Construction Managers$65,160 – $176,990
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
$36,190$176,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Construction Managers | Dental Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,160 | $36,190 | +$28,970 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,480 | $39,520 | +$43,960 |
| Median (50th) | $106,980 | $47,300 | +$59,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,330 | $56,910 | +$82,420 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,990 | $61,780 | +$115,210 |
| Mean (Average) | $119,660 | $48,860 | +$70,800 |
Employment Numbers
Construction Managers
348,330
employed nationwide
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Construction Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $151,980 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $138,000 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $136,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,730 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $128,190 |
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: Construction Managers or Dental Assistants?
Construction Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $59,680 (126.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Construction Managers?
Construction Managers salaries range from $65,160 (10th percentile) to $176,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,980.
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 Construction Managers and Dental Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 348,330 Construction Managers positions and 375,430 Dental Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Dental Assistants to Construction Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Construction Managers has a median salary of $106,980 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