Dental Hygienists vs Human Resources Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $21,350 more per year than Human Resources Specialists professionals — that's 29.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $126,540 for Human Resources Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
$45,440$126,540
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Human Resources Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $45,440 | +$21,030 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $55,870 | +$24,190 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $72,910 | +$21,350 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $97,270 | +$5,650 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $126,540 | $-6,480 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $79,730 | +$14,160 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
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 Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Human Resources Specialists?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $21,350 (29.3% 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 Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
How many Dental Hygienists and Human Resources Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Specialists to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Human Resources Specialists earns $72,910. 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