Cost Estimators 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 $17,190 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 22.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $120,060 for Dental Hygienists.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
$46,330$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Dental Hygienists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $66,470 | $-20,140 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $80,060 | $-20,230 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $94,260 | $-17,190 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $102,920 | $-3,290 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $120,060 | +$8,580 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $93,890 | $-10,730 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cost Estimators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $104,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $103,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,990 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,300 |
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: Cost Estimators or Dental Hygienists?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $17,190 (22.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators salaries range from $46,330 (10th percentile) to $128,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $77,070.
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 Cost Estimators and Dental Hygienists jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Dental Hygienists to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 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