Dental Hygienist Salaries. In addition to cleaning teeth, dental hygienists offer various dental services. Learn how much money you may make in this fascinating industry.
In the US, the median annual compensation for a dental hygienist is $77,810. Depending on region, company, degree of education, job title, and other factors, dental hygienists may make more or less than this wage. The highest paid dental hygienists are those who have worked in the field for 20 years or more or who reside in one of the states with the highest salaries in the US.
You’ll be cleaning patients’ teeth and supporting the dentist as needed in treatments as a dental hygienist in a clinical setting. An essential component of this employment is informing patients about oral health and dental hygiene. You must complete a recognized dental hygiene program, pass the dental hygienist national written exam, and pass your state’s clinical exam to get licensed to practice as a dental hygienist.
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What is A dental hygienist?
An expert in medicine who helps dentists with office procedures, patient care, and administrative duties is a dental hygienist. Dental hygienists are capable of the following tasks:
- Patient preparation for dental examinations and procedures.
- Perform fluoride treatments and dental cleanings for patients.
- For the dentist, make a note of any dental issues.
- Maintain patient records and record the patient’s treatment plan.
- Patients’ queries should be answered while providing information about their treatment plan, good dental hygiene, and disease prevention.
- Apply a topical anesthetic.
- Do an X-ray.
The following abilities are required of dental hygienists:
- Mechanical aptitude
- Patience
- Talents in communication
- Dexterity
- Physical endurance
The Commission on Dental Accreditation requires dental hygienists to complete an associate degree program in dental hygiene and pass a state certification exam. Some students may want to go for a dental hygiene bachelor’s degree, which enables you to focus on a particular area of treatment, or a master’s degree if you want to do research or teach.
Where can you get the best pay for dental hygienists?
Average salaries for dental hygienists are highest in Alaska, California, and Washington. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
Dental hygienists’ yearly mean salaries in each state
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Alabama: $48,090 per year
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Alaska: $114,790 per year
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Arizona: $84,300 per year
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Arkansas: $67,410 per year
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California: $106,240 per year
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Colorado: $86,140 per year
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Connecticut: $82,600 per year
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Delaware: $83,470 per year
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Florida: $66,170 per year
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Georgia: $65,590 per year
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Hawaii: $83,430 per year
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Idaho: $75,910 per year
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Illinois: $72,050 per year
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Indiana: $68,390 per year
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Iowa: $70,600 per year
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Kansas: $68,340 per year
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Kentucky: $61,090 per year
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Louisiana: $65,960 per year
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Maine: $67,510 per year
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Maryland: $86,940 per year
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Massachusetts: $84,280 per year
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Michigan: $65,610 per year
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Minnesota: $75,570 per year
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Mississippi: $56,150 per year
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Missouri: $69,660 per year
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Montana: $75,610 per year
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Nebraska: $66,380 per year
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Nevada: $85,560 per year
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New Hampshire: $81,460 per year
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New Jersey: $87,270 per year
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New Mexico: $74,960 per year
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New York: $76,960 per year
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North Carolina: $70,750 per year
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North Dakota: $72,550 per year
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Ohio: $67,900 per year
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Oklahoma: $75,900 per year
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Oregon: $87,270 per year
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Pennsylvania: $67,940 per year
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Rhode Island: $75,330 per year
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South Carolina: $63,710 per year
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South Dakota: $66,840 per year
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Tennessee: $67,690 per year
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Texas: $76,940 per year
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Utah: $69,320 per year
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Vermont: $74,070 per year
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Virginia: $79,370 per year
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Washington: $93,200 per year
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West Virginia: $60,340 per year
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Wisconsin: $67,810 per year
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Wyoming: $69,610 per year
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Related Jobs to Dental Hygienists
The following jobs are associated with dental hygienists. Click on the salary link by each job title below to access the most recent Indeed salary data:
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Cardiovascular technologist
$23.24 is the average hourly wage in the country. Cardiovascular technicians educate and prepare patients for cardiovascular tests and procedures in specialized healthcare settings. They set up patients and spaces for catheterizations, EKGs, and ultrasounds.
2. Pharmacy Technician
$15.42 per hour is the national average wage. When preparing medications, pharmacy technicians help pharmacists. They may work in independent businesses, retail establishments, and hospital pharmacies. Pharmacy technicians work with doctors to confirm prescriptions, get in touch with patients, check insurance benefits, and maintain patient records.
3. Medical Assistant
National average salary: $15.61 per hour. Medical assistants are medical professionals trained in basic patient care and preparation. They work in a variety of healthcare settings, such as private practices, hospitals, specialty clinics and long-term care facilities. Medical assistants greet patients; take height, weight and blood pressures; document patient history; return patient calls; prepare patients for exams and procedures and maintain patient records.
4. Physical therapy assistant
National average salary: $15.72 per hour. Physical therapy aides assist physical therapists with patient care and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. They lead patients through exercise protocols designed by the physical therapist, document progress and concerns, apply modalities like ice and heat and educate patients on their treatment plan. Physical therapy aides must complete an accredited physical therapy assistant program and earn a PTA license to practice.
5. Dental assistant
National average salary: $17.96 per hour. Dental assistants help complete basic patient- and office-related tasks in a dental practice. They may check patients in and out, prep and clean equipment and exam rooms, schedule patients, answer phone calls and collect payments.
6. Sonographer
National average salary: $17.88 per hour. Sonographers are medical professionals trained in the use of medical imaging equipment to take ultrasound images. They can work in many specialty practices, including imaging centers, obstetric offices, hospitals and orthopedic offices. Sonographers typically earn an associate degree in an accredited sonography training program.
7. X-ray technician
National average salary: $26.17 per hour. X-ray technicians take patient x-rays in healthcare settings, such hospitals and doctor offices. They follow provider’s orders for type and scope of x-rays, educate and prepare patients, operate x-ray machinery and document results. X-ray technicians may earn their bachelor’s degree or associate degree in radiologic technology and pass a licensing exam through their state.
8. Occupational therapy assistant
National average salary: $29.54 per hour. Occupational therapy assistants work with patients to help them gain, regain or maintain the physical abilities needed to perform everyday tasks. They follow the directions of a supervising occupational therapist for exercises, activities and modalities. Occupational therapists must earn a degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program and complete a required number of hours in the field to become certified.
9. Surgical technician
National average salary: $31.26 per hour. Also referred to as scrub techs, surgical technicians assist surgeons in the operating room before and during procedures. They sterilize the room and any necessary equipment, verify all surgical tools are in the room and arranged appropriately, provides help during the surgery with retrieving tools and positioning patients and disposing of waste post-surgery.
10. Dentist
National average salary: $238,139 per year. Dentists perform dental exams and surgeries. They assess patients’ oral health and create treatment plans to treat disease, optimize dental health and prevent dental problems. Dentists must earn their doctorate in either dental surgery (DDS) or dental medicine (DDM) and become licensed in the state in which they practice.
FAQS on Dental Hygienist Salaries
How much does a Dental Hygienist make?
In the US, dental hygienists make an average salary of $88,432 per year, or $42.52 per hour. On the lower end of that range, or the bottom 10%, dental hygienists make about $56,000 annually, while the top 10% make $137,000 annually. How much a dental hygienist makes depends on where they work. In Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey, dental hygienists earn the greatest money.
Do dental hygienists get paid weekly or biweekly?
Payment occurs either weekly or biweekly. Frequency of payment for dental hygienist depends on which state the job is in.
Why do dental hygienists make so much money?
Dentist hygienists earn good money day to day. Often depending on the circumstances, patient fees go up to cover increased overheads.
Do nurses make more money or dental hygienists?
Pay varies by location and the variety of the workplace. The hospitals where the dental hygienists work also play a role. The average pay for a registered nurse is more than that of a dental hygienist.
What does a dental hygienist do?
A dental hygienist looks at, cleans, and instructs patients on how to take care of their teeth and gums. During routine cleanings or office visits, dental hygienists frequently develop a plan of care for patients, record the care that was provided, and communicate any findings. Additionally, they might do the following particular duties:
Examine the patient's oral health, performing tests for gum disease and cancer.
To prevent cavities, treat teeth with fluoride and sealants.
Make use of specialist dental tools to remove tartar and plaque from teeth and the gum line.
Whenever necessary, administer nitrous oxide or a local anesthetic.
Interpret and carry out dental radiography
Help a dentist out with dental work
How do you become a dental hygienist?
You must complete a dental hygiene associate degree program that has been approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation in order to work as a dental hygienist (CODA). After passing both your state's clinical examination for dental hygienists and the written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, you can move toward licensing. Even if you could see some variations in the precise license criteria in various states, this pattern is normal for all of them. For instance, you might have to provide letters of recommendation, the results of a background check, documentation of your liability insurance, and academic records.
Programs for dental hygienists normally last two years and include a predetermined number of hours each week for practical training. If you are certain that you want to eventually work in management roles, you can obtain a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH). Earning an associate in applied science in dental health (AAS) degree, which is the minimum prerequisite, will take longer and cost more money than pursuing a BSDH. You may be able to start your career and complete the bachelor's degree later by applying to several colleges that will accept your associate degree as transfer credit toward a BSDH.
Conclusion
Due to the fact that patients still want these services despite economic swings, careers in healthcare typically offer stable pay and promising job prospects. Finding the ideal healthcare career requires balancing your interests, personality, and chosen location with relevant medical specialties. Dental hygienists are vital members of the dental care team that interact directly with patients and healthcare professionals. As a result, they are paid well across the nation.
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