Dental Assistants vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals earn $28,990 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 61.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$36,190$115,280
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $47,640 | $-11,450 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $58,980 | $-19,460 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $76,290 | $-28,990 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $97,190 | $-40,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $115,280 | $-53,500 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $79,320 | $-30,460 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $150,650 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $115,630 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $114,200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,630 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $28,990 (61.3% 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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries range from $47,640 (10th percentile) to $115,280 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,290.
How many Dental Assistants and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 666,990 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $76,290. 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