Dental Hygienists vs Public Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $24,480 more per year than Public Relations Specialists professionals — that's 35.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $129,480 for Public Relations Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
$40,750$129,480
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Public Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $40,750 | +$25,720 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $51,970 | +$28,090 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $69,780 | +$24,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $95,940 | +$6,980 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $129,480 | $-9,420 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $80,310 | +$13,580 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
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 Public Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $98,460 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $95,370 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $93,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,060 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Public Relations Specialists?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $24,480 (35.1% 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 Public Relations Specialists?
Public Relations Specialists salaries range from $40,750 (10th percentile) to $129,480 (90th percentile), with a median of $69,780.
How many Dental Hygienists and Public Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Public Relations Specialists to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Public Relations Specialists earns $69,780. 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