Dental Hygienists vs Insurance Underwriters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $14,380 more per year than Insurance Underwriters professionals — that's 18.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $138,020 for Insurance Underwriters.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Insurance Underwriters$51,640 – $138,020
$51,640$138,020
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Insurance Underwriters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $51,640 | +$14,830 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $63,070 | +$16,990 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $79,880 | +$14,380 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $104,820 | $-1,900 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $138,020 | $-17,960 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $90,830 | +$3,060 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Insurance Underwriters
107,820
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 Insurance Underwriters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $106,380 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $103,270 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,860 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $98,500 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $98,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Insurance Underwriters?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $14,380 (18.0% 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 Insurance Underwriters?
Insurance Underwriters salaries range from $51,640 (10th percentile) to $138,020 (90th percentile), with a median of $79,880.
How many Dental Hygienists and Insurance Underwriters jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 107,820 Insurance Underwriters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Insurance Underwriters to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Insurance Underwriters earns $79,880. 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