Dental Hygienists
SOC code 29-1292 · O*NET-SOC 29-1292.00 · Medium preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Dental hygiene is one of the best-paid two-year-degree careers in healthcare, and one of the most looked-up. Hygienists work dentist-led hours with rare weekend or night shifts, which makes the role a long-standing pick for people who want clinical work with a predictable schedule.
Dental Hygienists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$98,100
a year
Hourly
$47.16
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$98,990
$47.59 per hour
Middle 50%
$83,570 – $108,480
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$74,880 – $126,050
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
222,740
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $74,880
- $36.00/hr
- 25th percentile
- $83,570
- $40.18/hr
- Median percentile
- $98,100
- $47.16/hr
- 75th percentile
- $108,480
- $52.16/hr
- 90th percentile
- $126,050
- $60.60/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+7%
Growing faster than average
221,600
jobs in 2024
237,200
projected for 2034
About 15,600 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a dental hygienist do?
Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Record and review patient medical histories.
- Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
- Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
- Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
- Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
- Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
- Expose and develop x-ray film.
- Attend continuing education courses to maintain or update skills.
How to become a dental hygienist
Most people in this role hold associate's degree or other 2-year degree — 75% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree75%
- First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.13%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate9%
- Bachelor's Degree3%
Common questions
How much does a dental hygienist earn?
The national median is $98,100 a year. The full range runs from $74,880 at the 10th percentile to $126,050 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a dental hygienist without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is dental hygienist in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 7% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Speaking3.5/5
- Critical Thinking3.5/5
- Writing3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Active Learning3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Medicine and Dentistry4.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
- Psychology3.0/5
- English Language2.8/5
- Education and Training2.6/5
- Computers and Electronics2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Coordination.