National Salary Overview
VS
Dental Assistants earns $5,666 more (14.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$46,211
$40,544
Average (Mean) Salary
$46,931
$41,559
Total Employment
370,670
31,460
States with Higher Pay
34
5
Salary by State: Dental Assistants vs Psychiatric Aides
Showing 39 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dental Assistants pays more in 34 states; Psychiatric Aides pays more in 5.
| State | Dental Assistants | Psychiatric Aides | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,120 | $30,220 | +$5,900 | ||
| Alaska | $51,820 | $44,450 | +$7,370 | ||
| Arkansas | $38,590 | $32,620 | +$5,970 | ||
| California | $48,210 | $43,360 | +$4,850 | ||
| Colorado | $48,950 | $51,110 | $-2,160 | ||
| Connecticut | $49,510 | $44,490 | +$5,020 | ||
| Delaware | $46,320 | $49,880 | $-3,560 | ||
| Florida | $46,600 | $29,200 | +$17,400 | ||
| Georgia | $45,670 | $34,480 | +$11,190 | ||
| Illinois | $43,590 | $55,120 | $-11,530 | ||
| Indiana | $46,380 | $41,630 | +$4,750 | ||
| Iowa | $47,580 | $44,860 | +$2,720 | ||
| Kansas | $39,290 | $35,700 | +$3,590 | ||
| Kentucky | $38,530 | $36,210 | +$2,320 | ||
| Louisiana | $38,180 | $29,040 | +$9,140 | ||
| Maine | $47,060 | $38,540 | +$8,520 | ||
| Maryland | $47,920 | $41,540 | +$6,380 | ||
| Massachusetts | $58,860 | $48,440 | +$10,420 | ||
| Michigan | $45,740 | $45,360 | +$380 | ||
| Minnesota | $62,870 | $51,170 | +$11,700 | ||
| Mississippi | $36,710 | $29,810 | +$6,900 | ||
| Missouri | $45,760 | $37,620 | +$8,140 | ||
| Nevada | $46,330 | $39,790 | +$6,540 | ||
| New Hampshire | $56,360 | $50,600 | +$5,760 | ||
| New Jersey | $46,790 | $40,410 | +$6,380 | ||
| New York | $45,590 | $50,670 | $-5,080 | ||
| Ohio | $46,450 | $36,940 | +$9,510 | ||
| Oklahoma | $38,940 | $37,930 | +$1,010 | ||
| Oregon | $57,040 | $44,390 | +$12,650 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $46,680 | $44,930 | +$1,750 | ||
| Rhode Island | $47,120 | $46,370 | +$750 | ||
| South Carolina | $46,490 | $31,620 | +$14,870 | ||
| Tennessee | $45,190 | $38,660 | +$6,530 | ||
| Texas | $39,640 | $32,880 | +$6,760 | ||
| Utah | $37,140 | $37,680 | $-540 | ||
| Vermont | $49,730 | $41,790 | +$7,940 | ||
| Virginia | $48,000 | $34,650 | +$13,350 | ||
| Washington | $55,700 | $48,890 | +$6,810 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,360 | $28,180 | +$9,180 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Dental Assistants or Psychiatric Aides?
On average across all states, a Dental Assistants earns more than a Psychiatric Aides. The national median salary difference is $5,666 (14.0%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Dental Assistants earn more than a Psychiatric Aides?
A Dental Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Psychiatric Aides in 34 out of 39 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Psychiatric Aides pays more in 5 states.
What is the median salary for a Dental Assistants vs Psychiatric Aides?
The national median salary for a Dental Assistants is $46,211 per year, compared to $40,544 for a Psychiatric Aides, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dental Assistants or Psychiatric Aides?
There are more people employed as Dental Assistants. BLS reports approximately 370,670 Dental Assistants positions and 31,460 Psychiatric Aides positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Dental Assistants or Psychiatric Aides?
Both Dental Assistants and Psychiatric Aides 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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