Dental Assistants vs Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists professionals earn $53,290 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 112.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $168,210 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$61,860 – $168,210
$36,190$168,210
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $61,860 | $-25,670 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $77,260 | $-37,740 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $100,590 | $-53,290 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $133,870 | $-76,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $168,210 | $-106,430 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $112,690 | $-63,830 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
156,300
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 Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $155,990 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $142,540 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $131,390 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $129,230 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $128,890 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $53,290 (112.7% 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 Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salaries range from $61,860 (10th percentile) to $168,210 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,590.
How many Dental Assistants and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 156,300 Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earns $100,590. 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