Dental Hygienists vs Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
Median annual salary
1,737,820 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Hygienists professionals earn $47,970 more per year than Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive professionals — that's 103.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Hygienists earns $120,060 compared to $64,150 for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Hygienists | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,470 | $31,600 | +$34,870 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,060 | $37,770 | +$42,290 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 | $46,290 | +$47,970 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,920 | $55,650 | +$47,270 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,060 | $64,150 | +$55,910 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,890 | $47,640 | +$46,250 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Hygienists
219,070
employed nationwide
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
1,737,820
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 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $61,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $60,320 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,310 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $56,060 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $53,960 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Hygienists or Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
What is the salary range for Dental Hygienists?
What is the salary range for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
How many Dental Hygienists and Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive to Dental Hygienists?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS