Dental Hygienists vs Graphic Designers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $32,960 more per year than Graphic Designers professionals — that's 53.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $103,030 for Graphic Designers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Graphic Designers$37,600 – $103,030
$37,600$120,060
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Graphic Designers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $37,600 | +$28,870 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $47,200 | +$32,860 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $61,300 | +$32,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $79,000 | +$23,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $103,030 | +$17,030 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $68,610 | +$25,280 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Graphic Designers
214,260
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 Graphic Designers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,530 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $89,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,630 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,360 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $78,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Graphic Designers?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $32,960 (53.8% 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 Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers salaries range from $37,600 (10th percentile) to $103,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,300.
How many Dental Hygienists and Graphic Designers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 214,260 Graphic Designers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Graphic Designers to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Graphic Designers earns $61,300. 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