Dental Assistants vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $46,300 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 97.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$36,190$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $66,030 | $-29,840 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $78,610 | $-39,090 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $93,600 | $-46,300 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $107,960 | $-51,050 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $135,320 | $-73,540 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $98,430 | $-49,570 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
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 Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $46,300 (97.9% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Dental Assistants and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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