Dental Hygienist vs Speech Language Pathologist: which pays more?
Speech Language Pathologists earn about $2,000 more per year than dental hygienists — roughly 2% higher at the national median. Here is how the two careers compare on pay, training, and outlook.
Dental Hygienist
$87,000
median per year
Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases and provide preventive care, including cleanings.
Full dental hygienist salary data →Speech Language Pathologist
$89,000
median per year
Speech-language pathologists assess and treat communication and swallowing disorders.
Full speech language pathologist salary data →Side-by-side breakdown
| Metric | Dental Hygienist | Speech Language Pathologist |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $87,000 | $89,000 |
| Median hourly pay | $42 | $43 |
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $62,000 | $66,000 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $110,000 | $126,000 |
| Education required | Associate degree in dental hygiene and state licensure. | Master's degree in speech-language pathology plus licensure. |
| Job outlook | 9% growth through 2033 — strong demand as population ages. | 18% growth through 2033 — much faster than average. |
Pay by state
| State | Dental Hygienist | Speech Language Pathologist | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $118,000 | $105,000 | +$13,000 for Dental Hygienist |
| Washington | $112,000 | $99,500 | +$12,500 for Dental Hygienist |
| New York | $94,000 | $101,500 | −$7,500 for Speech Language Pathologist |
| Texas | $82,000 | $86,500 | −$4,500 for Speech Language Pathologist |
| Florida | $78,000 | $82,000 | −$4,000 for Speech Language Pathologist |
| Michigan | $76,000 | $84,500 | −$8,500 for Speech Language Pathologist |
| Pennsylvania | $76,000 | $87,000 | −$11,000 for Speech Language Pathologist |
| Ohio | $74,000 | $83,500 | −$9,500 for Speech Language Pathologist |
Which career should you choose?
Pay is only one part of the decision. Speech Language Pathologists earn more on paper, but master's degree in speech-language pathology plus licensure. takes longer and costs more than associate degree in dental hygiene and state licensure.. If you want to start earning sooner, dental hygienist is usually the faster route. If long-term earning ceiling matters most, speech language pathologist tops out at $126,000 versus $110,000.
Job security also differs: dental hygienist outlook is "9% growth through 2033 — strong demand as population ages." while speech language pathologist outlook is "18% growth through 2033 — much faster than average."