Pay by Role
Malaysia · Salary comparison

Dental Hygienist vs Registered Nurse salary

In Malaysia, a dental hygienist earns about 84% more than a registered nurse $52,828 vs $28,748 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is MYR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Healthcare
Dental Hygienist
$52,828/yr
Monthly
$4,398
Hourly
$25
Range
$39,510$69,094
10-yr outlook
+9%
Healthcare
Registered Nurse
$28,748/yr
Monthly
$2,408
Hourly
$14
Range
$20,984$38,232
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDental HygienistRegistered Nurse
Entry (10th)$39,510$20,984
25th$46,169$24,866
Median$52,828$28,748
75th$60,961$33,490
Senior (90th)$69,094$38,232

National Malaysia figures in MYR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a dental hygienist or registered nurse earn more in Malaysia?
A dental hygienist earns more, at about RM 215,000 per year vs RM 117,000 for a registered nurse — roughly 84% (RM 98,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Malaysia?
A dental hygienist typically earns RM 160,800–RM 281,200, while a registered nurse earns RM 85,400–RM 155,600 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Malaysia?
On a monthly basis before tax, a dental hygienist averages about RM 17,900 and a registered nurse about RM 9,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Malaysia, a dental hygienist earns about RM 160,800 while a registered nurse earns about RM 85,400 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Malaysia, a dental hygienist earns about RM 281,200 while a registered nurse earns about RM 155,600 per year.
Are dental hygienist and registered nurse similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.