Dental Assistants vs Substitute Teachers, Short-Term: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Assistants professionals earn $8,830 more per year than Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals — that's 23.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $63,460 for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$26,240 – $63,460
$26,240$63,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $26,240 | +$9,950 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $31,310 | +$8,210 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $38,470 | +$8,830 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $51,930 | +$4,980 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $63,460 | $-1,680 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $44,930 | +$3,930 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
481,300
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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $64,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,080 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,570 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL | $58,070 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Dental Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $8,830 (23.0% 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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salaries range from $26,240 (10th percentile) to $63,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $38,470.
How many Dental Assistants and Substitute Teachers, Short-Term jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 481,300 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Substitute Teachers, Short-Term to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Substitute Teachers, Short-Term earns $38,470. 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