How much does a dental hygienist make?
The median dental hygienist in the United States earns $98,100 per year, about $47.16 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all dental hygienists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1292.
Dental hygienist salary range
Pay for dental hygienists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $74,880 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $126,050. The average (mean) wage of $98,990 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $74,880 | $36.00 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $83,570 | $40.18 | |
| Median (50th) | $98,100 | $47.16 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $108,480 | $52.16 | |
| 90th percentile | $126,050 | $60.60 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Dental hygienist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Dental hygienists earn the most in District of Columbia at $137,220 a year, and the least in Alabama at $61,160. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 | 320 |
| Alaska | $132,690 | 790 |
| Washington | $131,160 | 6,330 |
| California | $124,930 | 24,500 |
| Oregon | $122,080 | 3,600 |
| Nevada | $115,290 | 1,510 |
| Colorado | $109,580 | 4,270 |
| Maryland | $107,830 | 3,500 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 | 7,230 |
| New York | $106,130 | 13,660 |
| Minnesota | $103,970 | 4,110 |
| Virginia | $102,950 | 3,770 |
| New Hampshire | $101,250 | 1,360 |
| Arizona | $101,010 | 4,530 |
| Connecticut | $100,690 | 3,240 |
| Massachusetts | $100,640 | 6,850 |
| Texas | $99,240 | 16,380 |
| Delaware | $98,910 | 750 |
| Montana | $98,440 | 860 |
| North Carolina | $97,850 | 6,690 |
| Maine | $97,680 | 1,060 |
| Oklahoma | $97,580 | 2,860 |
| Hawaii | $97,570 | 830 |
| Vermont | $97,470 | 560 |
| Illinois | $96,670 | 8,970 |
| Wisconsin | $96,540 | 5,080 |
| New Mexico | $95,940 | 1,420 |
| Georgia | $95,490 | 7,440 |
| Idaho | $94,650 | 2,060 |
| Missouri | $92,750 | 3,810 |
| Nebraska | $92,580 | 1,280 |
| Indiana | $92,330 | 5,020 |
| South Dakota | $92,210 | 630 |
| Florida | $91,980 | 11,980 |
| Utah | $91,120 | 3,780 |
| North Dakota | $90,530 | 660 |
| Ohio | $88,990 | 8,630 |
| Rhode Island | $86,910 | 770 |
| Arkansas | $86,760 | 1,740 |
| Louisiana | $85,240 | 2,690 |
| Wyoming | $85,130 | 500 |
| Tennessee | $84,640 | 4,570 |
| South Carolina | $84,340 | 3,160 |
| Iowa | $84,010 | 2,440 |
| Michigan | $83,790 | 8,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,610 | 7,970 |
| Kentucky | $78,830 | 2,070 |
| West Virginia | $73,840 | 1,250 |
| Mississippi | $67,280 | 1,140 |
| Alabama | $61,160 | 3,170 |
State median wages for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for dental hygienists
The BLS projects employment of dental hygienists to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 225,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 243,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 15,000 openings a year for dental hygienists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a dental hygienist
The typical entry-level education for dental hygienists is an associate's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a dental hygienist earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $137,220) and the lowest (Alabama, $61,160) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 222,740 people work as dental hygienists in the United States. At $98,100 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Dental hygienist salary FAQ
How much does a dental hygienist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a dental hygienist is $47.16. The middle half of dental hygienists earn between $40.18 and $52.16 per hour.
What is the highest dental hygienist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of dental hygienists earn more than $126,050 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a dental hygienist make a year?
The median annual salary for a dental hygienist is $98,100. The average (mean) wage of $98,990 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a dental hygienist a well paid job?
At $98,100 a year, a dental hygienist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 222,740 people work as dental hygienists in the United States.
Which state pays dental hygienists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for dental hygienists at $137,220 a year. Alaska ($132,690) and Washington ($131,160) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a dental hygienist a good career?
Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 15,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a dental hygienist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for dental hygienists as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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