Dental Assistants vs Office Clerks, General: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Assistants professionals earn $3,670 more per year than Office Clerks, General professionals — that's 8.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $63,840 for Office Clerks, General.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Office Clerks, General$29,120 – $63,840
$29,120$63,840
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Office Clerks, General | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $29,120 | +$7,070 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $35,350 | +$4,170 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $43,630 | +$3,670 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $52,560 | +$4,350 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $63,840 | $-2,060 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $45,470 | +$3,390 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Office Clerks, General
2,510,550
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 Office Clerks, General
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $58,920 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $56,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $55,790 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $53,640 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $51,270 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Office Clerks, General?
Dental Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,670 (8.4% 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 Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General salaries range from $29,120 (10th percentile) to $63,840 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,630.
How many Dental Assistants and Office Clerks, General jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 2,510,550 Office Clerks, General positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Office Clerks, General to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Office Clerks, General earns $43,630. 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