How Much Do Dental Hygienists Earn?

Dental hygienists provide limited dental care services to patients. They are responsible for removing hard and soft deposits from the teeth, using X-ray machines to take pictures and educating patients about preventative dental care, according to the American Dental Association.

Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that in May 2008, the median annual salary of dental hygienists was $66,570. On the low end of the scale, wages of less than $44,180 were reported, and on the high end of the scale it was reported that some dental hygienists made over $91,470.

Education and Experience

Years of work experience impacts earnings. PayScale.com explains that in November 2010, hygienists with 10 to 19 years of experience have hourly wages that range from $28.95 to $38.56, but hygienists with less than one year only earn $16.67 to $28.86.

Location

According to BLS, the earnings of a dental hygienist vary by geographic location. For example, a dental hygienist in Alaska can make $96,280 annually, whereas hygienists in Michigan have an annual median wage of $59,640. Another factor is based on the place of employment. Hygienists who work in dental offices can make an hourly wage of $32.77, whereas hygienists who work for other types of physician offices make an average of $31.99 hourly.

References

• American Dental Association: Dental Hygienist
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Dental Hygienists
• Pay Scale: Dental Hygienists
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Dental Hygienists