Dental Hygienists vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $59,680 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 172.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Hygienists$66,470 – $120,060
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$120,060
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $25,600 | +$40,870 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $29,140 | +$50,920 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $34,580 | +$59,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $37,850 | +$65,070 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $47,930 | +$72,130 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $37,150 | +$56,740 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
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 Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Retail Salespersons?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $59,680 (172.6% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Dental Hygienists and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,070 Dental Hygienists positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Dental Hygienists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Hygienists has a median salary of $94,260 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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