National Salary Overview
VS
Dental Assistants earns $2,607 more (6.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$46,211
$43,604
Average (Mean) Salary
$46,931
$45,305
Total Employment
370,670
66,810
States with Higher Pay
37
14
Salary by State: Dental Assistants vs Medical Equipment Preparers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dental Assistants pays more in 37 states; Medical Equipment Preparers pays more in 14.
| State | Dental Assistants | Medical Equipment Preparers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,120 | $32,920 | +$3,200 | ||
| Alaska | $51,820 | $51,190 | +$630 | ||
| Arizona | $48,190 | $43,810 | +$4,380 | ||
| Arkansas | $38,590 | $35,350 | +$3,240 | ||
| California | $48,210 | $59,960 | $-11,750 | ||
| Colorado | $48,950 | $47,840 | +$1,110 | ||
| Connecticut | $49,510 | $46,400 | +$3,110 | ||
| Delaware | $46,320 | $50,550 | $-4,230 | ||
| District of Columbia | $52,880 | $51,860 | +$1,020 | ||
| Florida | $46,600 | $39,990 | +$6,610 | ||
| Georgia | $45,670 | $44,220 | +$1,450 | ||
| Hawaii | $44,880 | $52,320 | $-7,440 | ||
| Idaho | $37,700 | $38,360 | $-660 | ||
| Illinois | $43,590 | $46,020 | $-2,430 | ||
| Indiana | $46,380 | $38,960 | +$7,420 | ||
| Iowa | $47,580 | $38,430 | +$9,150 | ||
| Kansas | $39,290 | $38,480 | +$810 | ||
| Kentucky | $38,530 | $41,650 | $-3,120 | ||
| Louisiana | $38,180 | $35,660 | +$2,520 | ||
| Maine | $47,060 | $44,230 | +$2,830 | ||
| Maryland | $47,920 | $47,640 | +$280 | ||
| Massachusetts | $58,860 | $49,570 | +$9,290 | ||
| Michigan | $45,740 | $41,560 | +$4,180 | ||
| Minnesota | $62,870 | $48,410 | +$14,460 | ||
| Mississippi | $36,710 | $31,410 | +$5,300 | ||
| Missouri | $45,760 | $40,870 | +$4,890 | ||
| Montana | $44,400 | $41,600 | +$2,800 | ||
| Nebraska | $44,480 | $37,460 | +$7,020 | ||
| Nevada | $46,330 | $43,510 | +$2,820 | ||
| New Hampshire | $56,360 | $45,450 | +$10,910 | ||
| New Jersey | $46,790 | $51,170 | $-4,380 | ||
| New Mexico | $38,480 | $39,110 | $-630 | ||
| New York | $45,590 | $49,870 | $-4,280 | ||
| North Carolina | $47,000 | $41,500 | +$5,500 | ||
| North Dakota | $57,040 | $37,560 | +$19,480 | ||
| Ohio | $46,450 | $42,540 | +$3,910 | ||
| Oklahoma | $38,940 | $40,890 | $-1,950 | ||
| Oregon | $57,040 | $48,220 | +$8,820 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $46,680 | $44,860 | +$1,820 | ||
| Rhode Island | $47,120 | $50,020 | $-2,900 | ||
| South Carolina | $46,490 | $39,770 | +$6,720 | ||
| South Dakota | $47,490 | $40,030 | +$7,460 | ||
| Tennessee | $45,190 | $38,770 | +$6,420 | ||
| Texas | $39,640 | $44,460 | $-4,820 | ||
| Utah | $37,140 | $43,210 | $-6,070 | ||
| Vermont | $49,730 | $41,790 | +$7,940 | ||
| Virginia | $48,000 | $43,820 | +$4,180 | ||
| Washington | $55,700 | $49,070 | +$6,630 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,360 | $40,800 | $-3,440 | ||
| Wisconsin | $45,970 | $44,880 | +$1,090 | ||
| Wyoming | $47,450 | $45,790 | +$1,660 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Dental Assistants or Medical Equipment Preparers?
On average across all states, a Dental Assistants earns more than a Medical Equipment Preparers. The national median salary difference is $2,607 (6.0%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Dental Assistants earn more than a Medical Equipment Preparers?
A Dental Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Medical Equipment Preparers in 37 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Medical Equipment Preparers pays more in 14 states.
What is the median salary for a Dental Assistants vs Medical Equipment Preparers?
The national median salary for a Dental Assistants is $46,211 per year, compared to $43,604 for a Medical Equipment Preparers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dental Assistants or Medical Equipment Preparers?
There are more people employed as Dental Assistants. BLS reports approximately 370,670 Dental Assistants positions and 66,810 Medical Equipment Preparers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Dental Assistants or Medical Equipment Preparers?
Both Dental Assistants and Medical Equipment Preparers are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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