Dental Assistants vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Assistants professionals earn $12,720 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 36.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$61,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $25,600 | +$10,590 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $29,140 | +$10,380 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $34,580 | +$12,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $37,850 | +$19,060 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $47,930 | +$13,850 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $37,150 | +$11,710 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
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 Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Retail Salespersons?
Dental Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $12,720 (36.8% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Dental Assistants and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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