Fast facts:
In six American states and one territory, dental hygienists make a median salary of over $100,000. The median salary for dental hygienists nationally is $87,530.Unlike many similarly high-paying careers, dental hygienists only need a two-year accredited community college degree and two licenses — one national and one in their state of practice — to begin work.
Despite the fact that more than a third of the population is afraid of going to the dentist, the dental field is a surprisingly popular one for job seekers.
Becoming a proper dentist (i.e., a doctor of dentistry) typically takes about eight years, including four in a pre-dental undergraduate program and four more in dental school, which makes the career path too time-consuming and expensive for most folks looking for a job change.
Becoming a dental hygienist, however, typically only requires a two-year associate’s degree in dental hygiene, and the resulting compensation range is nothing to scoff at.
For someone hoping to start a new, higher-paying career without spending half a decade and hundreds of thousands of dollars on a new education, a career as a dental hygienist offers an attractive alternative.
Dental hygienists assist dentists with routine procedures, clean teeth, apply sealants and fluoride, and examine patients for signs of gum disease.
(Photo by Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images)
In 2022, there were 219,400 dental hygienist jobs in the U.S., and that number is expected to increase by around 7% by 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s more than twice the average 3% growth rate for all jobs in the U.S., so the field is ripe for new talent.
Here’s the low-down on what dental hygienists do, how much they can make, and how to go about becoming one.
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What is a dental hygienist? What do they do?
Dental hygienists are licensed dental professionals who work directly with patients in a dentist’s office. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), their primary duties typically include the following:
Taking client X-raysPerforming other diagnostic screeningsApplying fluoride and sealants to teethRemoving plaque and other deposits from teethEducating patients about oral hygiene best practices
In addition to basic screenings and teeth cleaning procedures, dental hygienists also perform treatments for patients with gum diseases like periodontitis, including scaling and root planing.
In some cases, with additional certifications, oral hygienists may also administer local anesthesia and/or nitrous oxide (more commonly known as “laughing gas”), although this is not permitted in all states.
How much do dental hygienists make?
As is the case with most professions, oral hygienist salaries vary geographically and based on experience. More tenured dental hygienists and those in cities with relatively high costs of living tend to make more than newer hygienists and those in cheaper areas.
Dental hygienist salaries in the U.S.
Based on responses to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the median salary for dental hygienists in the United States was $87,530 per year ($42.08 per hour) as of May 2023.
The median salary for a dental hygienist varies by state, from a low of $54,460 annually ($26.18 per hour) in Alabama to a high of $123,510 annually ($59.38 per hour) in Washington.
Where do dental hygienists make the most money?
Dental hygienists made a median salary in the six-figure range in the following seven states and territories:
Washington: $123,510California: $118,330Alaska: $115,980District of Columbia: $113,600Oregon: $103,440Colorado: $101,790Maryland: $101,140
Where do dental hygienists make the least money?
Dental hygienists make the lowest median salaries — under $77,000 per year — in the following seven states:
Alabama: $54,460Mississippi: $62,120West Virginia: $68,820Kentucky: $73,850Tennessee: $75,920Michigan: $76,800South Carolina: $76,950
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Which states have the most dental hygienist jobs?
Some states employ far more dental hygienists than others. These are the 10 states that had the most occupied oral hygienist positions as of May 2023:
California: 24,880Florida: 13,050New York: 12,100Texas: 11,510Ohio: 8,470Michigan: 8,37022Pennsylvania: 7,750Illinois: 7,730Georgia: 7,380
Dental hygienist vs. dental assistant: What’s the difference?
Dental assistants, like dental hygienists, work with patients alongside dentists, but they do not usually diagnose or treat gum disease, perform cleaning procedures, or administer anesthesia. Their primary duties include helping patients check in for appointments, sterilizing tools and workstations, filling out paperwork, scheduling appointments, filing patient records, and sometimes assisting dentists with basic dental procedures.
Since dental assistants have fewer clinical responsibilities than dental hygienists, they typically make significantly less money. According to the BLS, the median salary for dental assistants is $46,540 per year ($22.38 per hour) as of May 2023.
In some states, aspiring dental assistants must attend an accredited occupational training program and pass an exam, but in most, they can be hired without experience or specialized education and be trained on the job.
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How to become a dental hygienist: The 7-step career path explained
Becoming a dental hygienist is a fairly simple process that takes only about two years and requires no prerequisites aside from a high school diploma or equivalent. Here’s how it’s done:
Apply to an accredited dental hygiene program. Most take only two years, and many are available at community colleges, whose tuition tends to be significantly lower than traditional private and public universities. Once accepted, attend all classes and complete all coursework. In most cases, students must achieve final grades of C or higher in all courses in order to be eligible to take the subsequent licensure examinations. Take and pass the Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) from the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE).Take and pass the appropriate clinical board examination in the state you wish to practice. Obtain your license to practice from the dental board in the state in which you wish to practice. Apply for dental hygienist roles at clinics in the area where you’d like to practice until you are hired. Complete your orientation and on-the-job training, and begin practicing as a professional dental hygienist.
The takeaway
When it comes to starting or switching careers, the dental hygienist track has a fairly low ratio in terms of time and money commitment to eventual salary.
A two-year, accredited dental hygienist program costs around $22,692 on average, according to the American Dental Education Association. Licensure fees can vary by state, but in Oregon, for example, it costs $255 to apply for a license to practice dental hygiene, and that license remains valid for two years.
California may be the best state overall for aspiring hygienists, as it has by far the most jobs and offers the second-highest median pay for the field.
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