Dental Assistants vs Medical and Health Services Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Medical and Health Services Managers professionals earn $70,660 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 149.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $219,080 for Medical and Health Services Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Medical and Health Services Managers$69,680 – $219,080
$36,190$219,080
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Medical and Health Services Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $69,680 | $-33,490 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $88,560 | $-49,040 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $117,960 | $-70,660 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $162,420 | $-105,510 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $219,080 | $-157,300 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $137,730 | $-88,870 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Medical and Health Services Managers
565,840
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 Medical and Health Services Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $168,750 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $167,460 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $160,640 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $157,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $153,910 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Medical and Health Services Managers?
Medical and Health Services Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $70,660 (149.4% 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 Medical and Health Services Managers?
Medical and Health Services Managers salaries range from $69,680 (10th percentile) to $219,080 (90th percentile), with a median of $117,960.
How many Dental Assistants and Medical and Health Services Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 565,840 Medical and Health Services Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical and Health Services Managers to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Medical and Health Services Managers earns $117,960. 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