The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that Dental Assistants have an average annual salary of $42,510, while Surgical Technologists earn an average of $53,590 per year. This indicates that Surgical Technologists earn much more than Dental Assistants.
Keep in mind, however, that factors such as location, experience, and the specific workplace can affect salary. For instance, Dental Assistants in Minnesota may have higher earnings (averaging $53,080 per year) compared to those in Louisiana ($33,560). As another example, the average salary of Surgical Technologists in California is 70% higher than those in Mississippi.
Dental Assistants vs Surgical Technologists overview
Dental Assistants and Surgical Technologists are two important jobs in the Health Care Services industry. There is a general interest in understanding the differences between these job titles, including the average salary for each of them.
Dental Assistant job description
Dental Assistants perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
Dental Assistant education and experience
Of Dental Assistants, about a half have completed a Post-Secondary Certificate, 29% have a High School Diploma, and 17% hold a College Course Certificate. Regarding experience, 27% of Dental Assistant jobs require a 1 to 2 years of experience in the field. A smaller percentage of jobs (21%) require a previous experience of 3 to 6 months.
Dental Assistant average salary
As reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, the number of Dental Assistants employed in the United States was 347,170, and they earned an average of $42,510 per year. The bottom 10 percent had a salary of $29,580 or less, and the top 10 percent had a salary of $59,540 or more. The average salary has increased by 0.5% compared the previous year.
Do Dental Assistants make good money?
Dental Assistants salaries are typically not as good as those in other fields, as their average salary is 27% lower than the average wage in the United States ($58,260). Moreover, they earn 40% less than the average wage of the Health Care Services industry ($70,360).
Dental Assistants salaries are typically not as good as those in other fields, as their average salary is 27% lower than the average wage in the United States ($58,260).
Dental Assistants job growth
In 2021, there have been 35,030 more Dental Assistant positions than the previous year nationwide, which marks a rise of 11.2%. Job growth has averaged 1% for the last 3 years.
Surgical Technologist job description
Surgical Technologists assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons’ assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.
Surgical Technologist education and experience
41% of Surgical Technologists have obtained an Associate's Degree, 31% hold a Post-Secondary Certificate, and 23% have a College Course Certificate. With regard to experience, 40% of Surgical Technologist occupations require a 6 months to 1 year of previous work-related experience. A smaller number of roles (37%) require a previous experience of 1 to 2 years.
Surgical Technologist average salary
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that in 2021, there were 109,060 Surgical Technologists working in the United States, and on average, they earned $53,590 per year. The bottom 10 percent earned $36,930 or less, and the top 10 percent earned $75,940 or more. Compared to the previous year, the mean salary has grown by 4%.
Do Surgical Technologists make good money?
Surgical Technologists are not typically highly paid, since their mean salary is 8% below the average pay in the United States ($58,260). Additionally, they make about a quarter less than the mean earnings of the Hospitals industry ($72,260).
Surgical Technologists are not typically highly paid, since their mean salary is 8% below the average pay in the United States ($58,260).
Surgical Technologists job growth
In 2021, there have been 1,660 more Surgical Technologist job opportunities than the previous year across the nation, and that shows an increase of 1.5%. Over the past 3 years, job growth has averaged -0.3%.
FAQ
Do Dental Assistants or Surgical Technologists make more?
Surgical Technologists make about a quarter more than Dental Assistants. The average annual pay for Dental Assistants is $42,510, compared to $53,590 for Surgical Technologists.
How long does it take to become a Dental Assistant vs Surgical Technologist?
Dental Assistants generally need a Post-Secondary Certificate. A Post-Secondary Certificate most often takes between 1 year and 2 years to complete. On the other hand, Surgical Technologists generally need an Associate's Degree. An Associate's Degree most often takes around 2 years to complete.
Is it harder to become a Dental Assistant vs Surgical Technologist?
The level of difficulty of achieving either occupation is similar, since both of them require a similar amount of education.
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