Career comparison
Dental hygienist vs. Dental assistant
Dental hygienists earn more: a median of $98,100, $50,030 (104%) above dental assistants at $48,070.
Both are projected to grow at a similar pace through 2035 (+8% and +7%).
Getting in is slower for dental hygienists: about 2.2 years vs. 10 months for someone with a bachelor's in another field.
At a glance
| Dental hygienist | Dental assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $98,100 | $48,070 |
| Top 10% earn over | $126,050 | $62,250 |
| Growth to 2035 | +8% | +7% |
| Openings per year | 15,000 | 53,000 |
| Jobs today | 225,300 | 388,600 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Time to qualify* | 2.2 years | 10 months |
| Training cost* | $21K–$63K | $4K–$15K |
* Starting from a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025. Outlook: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35.
Pay
Dental hygienist
Dental assistant
Switching from one to the other
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Dental hygienistDental assistant
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Getting in
Dental hygienist
- Entry education
- Associate's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Required: NBDHE board exam · Regional clinical exam · State license
Dental assistant
- Entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Required: Radiography certificate in many states · DANB CDA (optional, raises pay)
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Dental hygienist: 4% usually work over 40 hours a weekDental assistant: 1% usually work over 40 hours a week
Dental hygienist: core tasks
- Record and review patient medical histories.
- Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
- Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
- Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
- Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
Dental assistant: core tasks
- Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
- Record treatment information in patient records.
- Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
- Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
- Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
Skills: what carries over
Both rely on: Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Writing, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness.
New for a dental hygienist moving to dental assistant: Instructing.
New for a dental assistant moving to dental hygienist: Coordination.
Interests (Holland codes): Dental hygienist: Social, Realistic, Investigative. Dental assistant: Conventional, Realistic, Social.
Outlook to 2035, and AI
Dental hygienist
+8%
faster than average · 15,000 openings a year
BLS lists no specific factors, including AI, changing demand for this job.
Dental assistant
+7%
faster than average · 53,000 openings a year
BLS lists no specific factors, including AI, changing demand for this job.
Quoted notes: BLS Employment Projections, factors affecting occupational utilization (Table 1.12). Average growth across all jobs: +3.5%.
Questions people ask
Who makes more, a dental hygienist or a dental assistant?
Dental hygienists earn more: a median of $98,100, $50,030 (104%) above dental assistants at $48,070.
Which has the better job outlook?
Both are projected to grow at a similar pace through 2035 (+8% and +7%).
How long does it take to become a dental assistant?
For someone with a bachelor's degree in another field, about 10 months, with tuition of roughly $4,000 to $15,000. Required: Radiography certificate in many states, DANB CDA (optional, raises pay).
How long does it take to become a dental hygienist?
For someone with a bachelor's degree in another field, about 2.2 years, with tuition of roughly $21,000 to $62,500. Required: NBDHE board exam, Regional clinical exam, State license.