Dental Hygienists vs Office Clerks, General: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $50,630 more per year than Office Clerks, General professionals — that's 116.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $63,840 for Office Clerks, General.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Office Clerks, General$29,120 – $63,840
$29,120$120,060
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Office Clerks, General | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $29,120 | +$37,350 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $35,350 | +$44,710 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $43,630 | +$50,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $52,560 | +$50,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $63,840 | +$56,220 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $45,470 | +$48,420 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Office Clerks, General
2,510,550
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 Office Clerks, General
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $58,920 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $56,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $55,790 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $53,640 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $51,270 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Office Clerks, General?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $50,630 (116.0% 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 Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General salaries range from $29,120 (10th percentile) to $63,840 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,630.
How many Dental Hygienists and Office Clerks, General jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 2,510,550 Office Clerks, General positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Office Clerks, General to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Office Clerks, General earns $43,630. 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