Income of a Dental Hygienist

In 2009, dental hygienists earned an average salary of $67,500, reports the U.S. Department of Labor.

Dental hygienists' salaries vary depending on education, experience and employment location. Licensure is a requirement for the job, which entails assisting dentists with screening procedures, taking X-rays, counseling patients and removing plaque, among other responsibilities as outlined by each state.

Wages

Dental hygienists earn hourly wages ranging from $21.59 to $44.64, and annual salaries from $44,900 to $92,860, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Top-Paying States

Alaska ranks No. 1, paying dental hygienists an annual mean wage of $96,280, while Washington state sits at No. 2, with the average salary at $90,140, the labor bureau reports. California comes in third, paying an average of $87,540 annually.

Employment Industries

According to 2009 BLS data, dentists' offices employ 166,800 hygienists nationwide, while 1,520 worked for employment services. Physicians' offices in the U.S. employed 1,460 dental hygienists.

Best-Paying Industries

Offices of administrative services rank as the top-paying industry, paying an annual mean wage of $68,230; dentist offices sit at No. 2, paying an annual salary of $68,160; and employment services firms come in third, paying $68,150 on average.

Education

Dental hygienists first earn their associate degree, as required before taking the state licensure exam. Programs vary depending on the school.

References

• U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics: Dental Hygienists
• Dental Hygienist Salary Website

Resources

• American Dental Association Website
• Forbes.com: The 20 Fastest-Growing Jobs for Women