Dental Hygienist vs Registered Nurse salary
In United States, a registered nurse earns about 4% more than a dental hygienist — $101,000 vs $97,300 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Healthcare
Registered Nurse$101,000/yr
- Monthly
- $8,400
- Hourly
- $49
- Range
- $73,700–$134,300
- 10-yr outlook
- +6%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Dental Hygienist | Registered Nurse |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $72,800 | $73,700 |
| 25th | $85,000 | $87,400 |
| Median | $97,300 | $101,000 |
| 75th | $112,300 | $117,700 |
| Senior (90th) | $127,300 | $134,300 |
National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Healthcare comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a dental hygienist or registered nurse earn more in United States?
- A registered nurse earns more, at about $101,000 per year vs $97,300 for a dental hygienist — roughly 4% ($3,700) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
- A dental hygienist typically earns $72,800–$127,300, while a registered nurse earns $73,700–$134,300 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a dental hygienist averages about $8,100 and a registered nurse about $8,400.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in United States, a dental hygienist earns about $72,800 while a registered nurse earns about $73,700 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in United States, a dental hygienist earns about $127,300 while a registered nurse earns about $134,300 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.