National Salary Overview
VS
Dental Assistants earns $2,467 more (5.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$49,100
$46,632
Average (Mean) Salary
$49,858
$48,352
Total Employment
384,650
77,410
States with Higher Pay
33
17
Salary by State: Dental Assistants vs Medical Equipment Preparers
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dental Assistants pays more in 33 states; Medical Equipment Preparers pays more in 17.
| State | Dental Assistants | Medical Equipment Preparers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $39,080 | $35,800 | +$3,280 | ||
| Alaska | $57,710 | $49,920 | +$7,790 | ||
| Arizona | $49,000 | $46,790 | +$2,210 | ||
| Arkansas | $42,830 | $38,100 | +$4,730 | ||
| California | $50,110 | $61,370 | $-11,260 | ||
| Colorado | $48,340 | $47,700 | +$640 | ||
| Connecticut | $56,850 | $47,980 | +$8,870 | ||
| Delaware | $47,600 | $53,300 | $-5,700 | ||
| District of Columbia | $60,580 | $48,670 | +$11,910 | ||
| Florida | $47,620 | $45,890 | +$1,730 | ||
| Georgia | $46,840 | $47,850 | $-1,010 | ||
| Hawaii | $44,720 | $51,630 | $-6,910 | ||
| Idaho | $45,880 | $46,450 | $-570 | ||
| Illinois | $48,610 | $48,050 | +$560 | ||
| Indiana | $48,670 | $45,210 | +$3,460 | ||
| Iowa | $48,430 | $39,930 | +$8,500 | ||
| Kentucky | $47,730 | $46,880 | +$850 | ||
| Louisiana | $44,090 | $35,960 | +$8,130 | ||
| Maine | $60,070 | $46,860 | +$13,210 | ||
| Maryland | $48,620 | $48,680 | $-60 | ||
| Massachusetts | $57,980 | $58,580 | $-600 | ||
| Michigan | $48,820 | $45,670 | +$3,150 | ||
| Minnesota | $65,270 | $50,070 | +$15,200 | ||
| Mississippi | $39,160 | $35,160 | +$4,000 | ||
| Missouri | $45,970 | $43,480 | +$2,490 | ||
| Montana | $46,680 | $44,670 | +$2,010 | ||
| Nebraska | $46,660 | $41,480 | +$5,180 | ||
| Nevada | $47,110 | $46,640 | +$470 | ||
| New Hampshire | $59,530 | $48,900 | +$10,630 | ||
| New Jersey | $49,390 | $50,280 | $-890 | ||
| New Mexico | $44,400 | $36,720 | +$7,680 | ||
| New York | $48,110 | $57,320 | $-9,210 | ||
| North Carolina | $50,380 | $45,130 | +$5,250 | ||
| North Dakota | $57,770 | $38,910 | +$18,860 | ||
| Ohio | $47,970 | $45,540 | +$2,430 | ||
| Oklahoma | $45,740 | $43,460 | +$2,280 | ||
| Oregon | $59,490 | $48,890 | +$10,600 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $47,930 | $45,820 | +$2,110 | ||
| Rhode Island | $50,150 | $51,460 | $-1,310 | ||
| South Carolina | $47,320 | $42,510 | +$4,810 | ||
| South Dakota | $47,900 | $42,330 | +$5,570 | ||
| Tennessee | $46,720 | $46,990 | $-270 | ||
| Texas | $45,430 | $46,970 | $-1,540 | ||
| Utah | $37,760 | $47,980 | $-10,220 | ||
| Vermont | $52,760 | $48,990 | +$3,770 | ||
| Virginia | $46,670 | $46,580 | +$90 | ||
| Washington | $58,090 | $58,830 | $-740 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,960 | $44,830 | $-6,870 | ||
| Wisconsin | $47,520 | $47,570 | $-50 | ||
| Wyoming | $44,990 | $48,210 | $-3,220 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Dental Assistants vs Medical Equipment Preparers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $2,467 (5.3%) based on 2025 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 33 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Medical Equipment Preparers pays more in 17 states.
What is the median salary for a Dental Assistants vs Medical Equipment Preparers?
The national median salary for a Dental Assistants is $49,100 per year, compared to $46,632 for a Medical Equipment Preparers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dental Assistants or Medical Equipment Preparers?
There are more people employed as Dental Assistants. BLS reports approximately 384,650 Dental Assistants positions and 77,410 Medical Equipment Preparers positions nationwide (2025).
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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