Dental Assistants vs Graphic Designers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Graphic Designers professionals earn $14,000 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 29.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $103,030 for Graphic Designers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Graphic Designers$37,600 – $103,030
$36,190$103,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Graphic Designers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $37,600 | $-1,410 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $47,200 | $-7,680 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $61,300 | $-14,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $79,000 | $-22,090 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $103,030 | $-41,250 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $68,610 | $-19,750 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Graphic Designers
214,260
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 Graphic Designers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,530 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $89,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,630 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,360 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $78,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $14,000 (29.6% 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 Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers salaries range from $37,600 (10th percentile) to $103,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,300.
How many Dental Assistants and Graphic Designers jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 214,260 Graphic Designers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Graphic Designers to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Graphic Designers earns $61,300. 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