Jobs Similar to Dental Hygienists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to dental hygienists, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Dental Assistants, Respiratory Therapists and Ophthalmic Medical Technicians.
Dental Hygienists: $98,100 median pay · usual preparation: Training or associate.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Dental Hygienists) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dental Assistants | 79% | $48,070−51% | Training or associate |
| 2 | Respiratory TherapistsSame group | 78% | $82,280−16% | Training or associate |
| 3 | Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | 78% | $45,570−54% | Training or associate |
| 4 | Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | 77% | $74,310−24% | Training or associate |
| 5 | Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 77% | $47,380−52% | Training or associate |
| 6 | Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | 77% | $50,290Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 7 | Athletic Trainers | 76% | $62,520−36% | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Physical Therapist Assistants | 76% | $68,380−30% | Training or associate |
| 9 | Nurse AnesthetistsSame group | 76% | $236,590+141% | Graduate degree |
| 10 | Critical Care NursesSame group | 76% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Physical Therapist Aides | 76% | $35,240−64% | High school |
| 12 | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | 75% | $38,150−61% | High school |
| 13 | Registered NursesSame group | 75% | $97,550−1% | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | ProsthodontistsSame group | 75% | $311,180+217% | Graduate degree |
| 15 | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 75% | $64,400−34% | Training or associate |
| 16 | Nuclear Medicine Technologists | 74% | $101,370+3% | Training or associate |
| 17 | Acute Care NursesSame group | 74% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Midwives | 74% | $65,790Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 19 | Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 74% | $96,590−2% | Training or associate |
| 20 | Emergency Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 74% | $335,550+242% | Graduate degree |
- 1Dental Assistants
79% similar · $48,070 (−51%) · Training or associate
- 2Respiratory Therapists
78% similar · $82,280 (−16%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 3Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
78% similar · $45,570 (−54%) · Training or associate
- 4Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
77% similar · $74,310 (−24%) · Training or associate
- 5Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
77% similar · $47,380 (−52%) · Training or associate
- 6Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
77% similar · $50,290 (broader group) · Training or associate
- 7Athletic Trainers
76% similar · $62,520 (−36%) · Graduate degree
- 8Physical Therapist Assistants
76% similar · $68,380 (−30%) · Training or associate
- 9Nurse Anesthetists
76% similar · $236,590 (+141%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 10Critical Care Nurses
76% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 11Physical Therapist Aides
76% similar · $35,240 (−64%) · High school
- 12Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
75% similar · $38,150 (−61%) · High school
- 13Registered Nurses
75% similar · $97,550 (−1%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 14Prosthodontists
75% similar · $311,180 (+217%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 15Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
75% similar · $64,400 (−34%) · Training or associate
- 16Nuclear Medicine Technologists
74% similar · $101,370 (+3%) · Training or associate
- 17Acute Care Nurses
74% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 18Midwives
74% similar · $65,790 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 19Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
74% similar · $96,590 (−2%) · Training or associate
- 20Emergency Medicine Physicians
74% similar · $335,550 (+242%) · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than dental hygienists.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for dental hygienists also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Questions about jobs like dental hygienists
What jobs are most similar to dental hygienists?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Dental Assistants (79% similar), Respiratory Therapists (78% similar), Ophthalmic Medical Technicians (78% similar), Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians (77% similar) and Veterinary Technologists and Technicians (77% similar).
Which jobs like dental hygienists pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Emergency Medicine Physicians ($335,550, +242%; usually a graduate degree), Prosthodontists ($311,180, +217%; usually a graduate degree) and Nurse Anesthetists ($236,590, +141%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with dental hygienists ($98,100). Without more preparation than dental hygienists usually need: Nuclear Medicine Technologists.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.