Dental Hygienists
Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2,950 | $51,130 | $24.58 | |
| Alaska | 510 | $115,510 | $55.53 | |
| Arizona | 3,410 | $83,300 | $40.05 | |
| Arkansas | 1,260 | $74,360 | $35.75 | |
| California | 25,200 | $108,200 | $52.02 | |
| Colorado | 3,610 | $86,890 | $41.77 | |
| Connecticut | 3,210 | $88,610 | $42.60 | |
| Delaware | 760 | $83,560 | $40.18 | |
| District of Columbia | 270 | $81,400 | $39.14 | |
| Florida | 11,230 | $73,180 | $35.18 | |
| Georgia | 4,810 | $73,140 | $35.16 | |
| Hawaii | 1,340 | $81,970 | $39.41 | |
| Idaho | 1,880 | $75,040 | $36.08 | |
| Illinois | 8,540 | $76,640 | $36.84 | |
| Indiana | 5,100 | $74,450 | $35.79 | |
| Iowa | 2,220 | $76,010 | $36.55 | |
| Kansas | 2,010 | $72,540 | $34.88 | |
| Kentucky | 2,330 | $61,500 | $29.57 | |
| Louisiana | 1,880 | $74,240 | $35.69 | |
| Maine | 1,130 | $71,640 | $34.44 | |
| Maryland | 4,120 | $89,340 | $42.95 | |
| Massachusetts | 5,220 | $87,030 | $41.84 | |
| Michigan | 7,750 | $66,720 | $32.08 | |
| Minnesota | 4,920 | $79,820 | $38.38 | |
| Mississippi | 1,410 | $57,670 | $27.72 | |
| Missouri | 2,730 | $74,230 | $35.69 | |
| Montana | 940 | $80,140 | $38.53 | |
| Nebraska | 1,150 | $75,700 | $36.39 | |
| Nevada | 2,030 | $89,460 | $43.01 | |
| New Hampshire | 1,410 | $82,660 | $39.74 | |
| New Jersey | 5,030 | $87,070 | $41.86 | |
| New Mexico | 900 | $84,480 | $40.62 | |
| New York | 10,020 | $83,600 | $40.19 | |
| North Carolina | 6,920 | $72,500 | $34.86 | |
| North Dakota | 850 | $69,440 | $33.39 | |
| Ohio | 8,800 | $72,280 | $34.75 | |
| Oklahoma | 2,270 | $83,290 | $40.04 | |
| Oregon | 3,740 | $94,420 | $45.40 | |
| Pennsylvania | 9,690 | $71,710 | $34.48 | |
| Rhode Island | 1,120 | $77,140 | $37.09 | |
| South Carolina | 3,100 | $65,440 | $31.46 | |
| South Dakota | 670 | $74,600 | $35.87 | |
| Tennessee | 4,090 | $68,770 | $33.06 | |
| Texas | 13,030 | $75,970 | $36.53 | |
| Utah | 2,920 | $74,110 | $35.63 | |
| Vermont | 520 | $73,650 | $35.41 | |
| Virginia | 5,040 | $83,150 | $39.98 | |
| Washington | 6,840 | $106,200 | $51.06 | |
| West Virginia | 1,050 | $61,050 | $29.35 | |
| Wisconsin | 4,730 | $72,540 | $34.87 | |
| Wyoming | 530 | $78,010 | $37.50 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that prepares individuals to clean teeth and apply preventive materials, provide oral health education and treatment counseling to patients, identify oral pathologies and injuries, and manage dental hygiene practices. Includes instruction in dental anatomy, microbiology, and pathology; dental hygiene theory and techniques; cleaning equipment operation and maintenance; dental materials; radiology; patient education and counseling; office management; supervised clinical training; and professional standards.
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$81,360 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Associate's degreeTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as dental hygienists.
- Less than high school 1%
- High school graduate 3%
- College dropout 8%
- Associate’s degree 50%
- Bachelor’s degree 32%
- Master’s degree 3%
- Doctorate degree 3%
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