Dental hygienists have an average annual salary of $89,890, compared to $128,490 for nurse practitioners, $130,490 for physician assistants and $214,200 for nurse anesthetists, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The agency updated salary data April 3 to reflect May 2023 figures.
Here is how compensation data stacks up for the four professions:
Mean annual wage
Dental hygienists: $89,890
NPs: $128,490
PAs: $130,490
CRNAs: $214,200
Mean hourly wage
Dental hygienists: $43.21
NPs: $61.78
PAs: $62.74
CRNAs: $102.98
Highest-paying practice setting
Dental hygienists: Employment services
NPs: Business support services
PAs: Employment services
CRNAs: Outpatient care centers
Highest-earning state
Dental hygienists: Washington
NPs: California
PAs: Nevada
CRNAs: Illinois