Dental Hygienists vs Pharmacy Technicians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $50,800 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 116.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$35,100$120,060
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $35,100 | +$31,370 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $36,920 | +$43,140 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $43,460 | +$50,800 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $48,580 | +$54,340 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $59,450 | +$60,610 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $44,800 | +$49,090 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
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 Pharmacy Technicians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $70,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $61,990 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,960 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $55,810 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $54,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Pharmacy Technicians?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $50,800 (116.9% 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 Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy Technicians salaries range from $35,100 (10th percentile) to $59,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,460.
How many Dental Hygienists and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Pharmacy Technicians earns $43,460. 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