Dental Hygienists vs Fast Food and Counter Workers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $63,780 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 209.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $38,800 for Fast Food and Counter Workers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
$22,620$120,060
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $22,620 | +$43,850 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $27,150 | +$52,910 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $30,480 | +$63,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $35,440 | +$67,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $38,800 | +$81,260 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $31,350 | +$62,540 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Dental Hygienists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $135,010 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $131,890 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $121,310 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $120,300 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $118,950 |
Best Cities for Fast Food and Counter Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $42,660 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $40,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $38,310 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $37,650 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $36,480 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $63,780 (209.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Dental Hygienists?
Dental Hygienists salaries range from $66,470 (10th percentile) to $120,060 (90th percentile), with a median of $94,260.
What is the salary range for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries range from $22,620 (10th percentile) to $38,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $30,480.
How many Dental Hygienists and Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Fast Food and Counter Workers to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $30,480. 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