Dental Hygienists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Dental Hygienistss out-earn Registered Nursess by $550 a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Dental Hygienistss land at $98,100 and Registered Nursess at $97,550. The education gap is real: dental hygienist programs typically require associate's degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Dental Hygienistss is District of Columbia ($137,220); for Registered Nursess it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Dental Hygienists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Dental Hygienistss or Registered Nursess?
Dental Hygienistss earn more nationally. The median is $98,100 for Dental Hygienistss versus $97,550 for Registered Nursess, a difference of $550. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Dental Hygienists or Registered Nurses?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Dental Hygienists or Registered Nurses?
Dental Hygienists typically requires associate's degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Dental Hygienistss get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Dental Hygienistss at $137,220/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Dental Hygienists vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Dental Hygienistss earn $137,220 vs. $102,540 for Registered Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.