Database Administrators vs Dental Hygienists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Database Administrators professionals earn $41,720 more per year than Dental Hygienists professionals — that's 44.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Database Administrators earns $209,990 compared to $120,060 for Dental Hygienists.
Salary Range Comparison
Database Administrators$81,630 – $209,990
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
$66,470$209,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Database Administrators | Dental Hygienists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $81,630 | $66,470 | +$15,160 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,900 | $80,060 | +$27,840 |
| Median (50th) | $135,980 | $94,260 | +$41,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $169,480 | $102,920 | +$66,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $209,990 | $120,060 | +$89,930 |
| Mean (Average) | $142,620 | $93,890 | +$48,730 |
Employment Numbers
Database Administrators
64,770
employed nationwide
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Database Administrators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $188,120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $170,700 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $166,210 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $162,310 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $155,880 |
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: Database Administrators or Dental Hygienists?
Database Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $41,720 (44.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Database Administrators?
Database Administrators salaries range from $81,630 (10th percentile) to $209,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $135,980.
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 Database Administrators and Dental Hygienists jobs are there?
There are approximately 64,770 Database Administrators positions and 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Dental Hygienists to Database Administrators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Database Administrators has a median salary of $135,980 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