Dental Assistants vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn $15,670 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 33.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$36,190$105,150
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $40,670 | $-4,480 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $48,860 | $-9,340 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $62,970 | $-15,670 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $81,900 | $-24,990 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $105,150 | $-43,370 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $69,940 | $-21,080 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $100,110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,890 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $97,020 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $90,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $15,670 (33.1% 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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries range from $40,670 (10th percentile) to $105,150 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,970.
How many Dental Assistants and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $62,970. 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