Dental Hygienist Salary Range
The job of a dental hygienist is to examine patient's teeth and gums as well as clean the teeth by removing soft and hard deposits that build up on the teeth and can only be removed with professional instruments. A dental hygienist also counsels patients about proper oral hygiene. The salary earned by a dental hygienist can vary depending on experience level, geographic location and other factors.
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Education
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The entrance requirements to dental hygiene programs vary from one school to another. Some mandate that potential students have completed at least one year of college prior to admission. At the very least dental offices will require a two-year associate degree before considering an applicant for a hygienist position.
Work Environment
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In addition to individual responsibilities, a dental hygienist may work alongside the dentist while various procedures are being performed. A hygienist may wear gloves and surgical masks to guard against infectious diseases as does the dentist.
Many hygienists have the option of work full- or part-time, and schedules are often flexible.
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Median Salary
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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the median hourly pay of dental hygienists in 2006 were $30. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20 an hour while the top 10 percent were paid more than $41 an hour.
According to Payscale.com, the median entry level salary for a dental hygienist is between $20 and $30 per hour.
A dental hygienist with 20 years experience earns on average between $29 to $38 per hour.
Salary & Geographic Location
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The American Dental Association says nationally in 2006 independent dentists reported that their full-time dental hygienists earned close to $33 per hour.
The hourly rate of a dental hygienist can fluctuate depending on where in theUnited States he is working.
Payscale.com estimates that a hygienist in Ohio will average about $28 an hour while a comparable position on the west coast in California pays approximately $45 a hour.
The state of Texas offers a mid-range hourly wage of around $35.
Salary & Work Setting
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According to Payscale.com, dental hygienists who perform their job in a private dentist's office or are self-employed earn a median hourly rate between $27 and $36.
Those who work for a school or a school district usually make a little less at $25 to $30.
The median pay range for a hygienist who works for the federal government falls between $17 and $30 per hour.
Job Outlook
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The job market for dental hygienists is expected to remain strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says as the number of dental patients continues to grow, increasingly busy dentists will perform fewer dental cleanings and hire additional hygienists for that and other preventive dental care.
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