Dental Hygienists vs Mechanical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $8,060 more per year than Dental Hygienists professionals — that's 8.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$66,470$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $68,740 | $-2,270 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $81,800 | $-1,740 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $102,320 | $-8,060 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $130,290 | $-27,370 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $161,240 | $-41,180 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $110,080 | $-16,190 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
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 Mechanical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $147,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $145,640 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,660 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $126,870 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $124,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $8,060 (8.6% 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 Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers salaries range from $68,740 (10th percentile) to $161,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,320.
How many Dental Hygienists and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Mechanical Engineers earns $102,320. 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