Dental Assistants vs Electricians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Electricians professionals earn $15,050 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 31.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $106,030 for Electricians.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Electricians$39,430 – $106,030
$36,190$106,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Electricians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $39,430 | $-3,240 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $48,820 | $-9,300 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $62,350 | $-15,050 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $81,730 | $-24,820 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $106,030 | $-44,250 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $69,630 | $-20,770 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Electricians
742,580
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Electricians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $102,070 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $101,600 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $99,540 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $95,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $95,020 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Electricians?
Electricians professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $15,050 (31.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Electricians?
Electricians salaries range from $39,430 (10th percentile) to $106,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,350.
How many Dental Assistants and Electricians jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 742,580 Electricians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Electricians to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Electricians earns $62,350. 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