Cooks, Restaurant 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 $57,430 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 155.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $120,060 for Dental Hygienists.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
$28,010$120,060
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Dental Hygienists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $66,470 | $-38,460 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $80,060 | $-48,750 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $94,260 | $-57,430 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $102,920 | $-59,310 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $120,060 | $-72,720 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $93,890 | $-56,160 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $46,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $46,960 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $45,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $45,040 |
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: Cooks, Restaurant or Dental Hygienists?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $57,430 (155.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cooks, Restaurant?
Cooks, Restaurant salaries range from $28,010 (10th percentile) to $47,340 (90th percentile), with a median of $36,830.
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 Cooks, Restaurant and Dental Hygienists jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Dental Hygienists to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 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