Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Dental Hygienist vs Veterinarian salary

In United States, a veterinarian earns about 33% more than a dental hygienist $129,000 vs $97,300 per year.

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

Healthcare
Dental Hygienist
$97,300/yr
Monthly
$8,100
Hourly
$47
Range
$72,800$127,300
10-yr outlook
+9%
Pays more
Healthcare
Veterinarian
$129,000/yr
Monthly
$10,800
Hourly
$62
Range
$90,700$175,800
10-yr outlook
+19%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDental HygienistVeterinarian
Entry (10th)$72,800$90,700
25th$85,000$109,800
Median$97,300$129,000
75th$112,300$152,400
Senior (90th)$127,300$175,800

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 veterinarian earn more in United States?
A veterinarian earns more, at about $129,000 per year vs $97,300 for a dental hygienist — roughly 33% ($31,700) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A dental hygienist typically earns $72,800–$127,300, while a veterinarian earns $90,700–$175,800 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 veterinarian about $10,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a dental hygienist earns about $72,800 while a veterinarian earns about $90,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a dental hygienist earns about $127,300 while a veterinarian earns about $175,800 per year.
Are dental hygienist and veterinarian 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.