State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Dental Hygienist Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
The median pay for Dental Hygienists is $98,100 a year ($47.16/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 7.0% through 2034, with about 15,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
SOC 29-1292Healthcare Practitioners and TechnicalLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $98,100
- Projected growth
- +7.0%
- Openings a year
- 15,300
- Typical education
- Associate's
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Dental Hygienist, Hygienist, Licensed Dental Hygienist, Pediatric Dental Hygienist, Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH).
How much do Dental Hygienists make?
10th percentile$74,880
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$83,570
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$98,100
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$108,480
Upper quartile
90th percentile$126,050
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $98,100 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $47.16/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $98,990 |
| People employed | 222,740 |
Versus all US occupations
At $98,100, Dental Hygienists earn 92% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $47,120 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
The median is typical for the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $97,870.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $126,050 or more while the bottom 10% earn $74,880, a gap of 1.7×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 77% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
District of Columbia posts the highest raw median ($137,220), but once local prices are taken into account Alaska leads at $129,632 in national-average dollars.
Which states pay Dental Hygienists the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 | $124,858 | 320 |
| Alaska | $132,690 | $129,632 | 790 |
| Washington | $131,160 | $122,565 | 6,330 |
| California | $124,930 | $112,834 | 24,500 |
| Oregon | $122,080 | $118,110 | 3,600 |
| Nevada | $115,290 | $115,314 | 1,510 |
| Colorado | $109,580 | $106,335 | 4,270 |
| Maryland | $107,830 | $102,735 | 3,500 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 | $98,378 | 7,230 |
| New York | $106,130 | $98,340 | 13,660 |
Is Dental Hygienist a growing career?
Dental Hygienists7.0%
All US occupations3.1%
+7.0% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Dental Hygienists to change 7.0% over 2024–2034, roughly 2.3× the 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 15,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 15,300 openings are projected each year, 6.9% of the 221,600 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand for dental services is expected to increase as the older adult population grows and as people keep more of their original teeth than in previous generations.
Studies linking oral health and general health, along with efforts to expand access to oral hygiene services, should continue to drive demand for preventive dental services, including those performed by hygienists. In addition, demand for dental hygienists is expected to grow as state laws increasingly allow dental hygienists to work at the top of their training.
How to become a Dental Hygienist
Every US state licenses dental hygienists. In most states licensure requires a degree from an accredited dental hygiene program plus a passing score on a written examination and on a clinical examination; the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) is recognized by all US licensing jurisdictions as the written component.
The credential path, step by step
- Complete the program prerequisitesVaries by school
Most dental hygiene programs require applicants to complete prerequisite college-level coursework, commonly in biology, chemistry and math. Specific requirements vary by school.
- Graduate from an accredited dental hygiene programAbout 3 years
Enroll in a dental hygiene program at a community college, technical school or university. Programs combine classroom, laboratory and clinical instruction. Licensure in most states requires an accredited program; CODA is the accrediting body for dental hygiene education in the US.
- Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE)
The NBDHE is the written examination recognized by all US licensing jurisdictions. It is offered year round at Pearson VUE test centers and takes 9 hours.
- Pass the clinical examination your state board accepts
States require a clinical examination on top of the written board, but they do not all accept the same agency's exam. Confirm with your state board before you register.
- Apply to the state board for licensure
Submit your degree, examination results and any state-specific requirements to your state's Board of Dental Examiners. Many employers also require current CPR certification.
- Renew the license with continuing education
Every state requires continuing education to renew. Hours and renewal cycles are set by the state board.
Exams you have to pass
National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE)
Written examination assessing biomedical and dental hygiene science knowledge applied to problem solving. All US licensing jurisdictions recognize it, and it is intended to fulfill or partly fulfill the written examination requirement for licensure in every state. Delivered year round at Pearson VUE test centers; total test time is 9 hours.
Administered by Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations.
Dental Hygiene Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination (DHLOSCE)
Launched by the JCNDE in 2025 to give licensing jurisdictions a way to assess clinical judgment and skills. Not accepted everywhere; check which examinations your state board accepts.
Administered by Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations.
Clinical licensure examination accepted by the state board
States require a clinical examination in addition to the written NBDHE, but they do not all accept the same one. ADHA's initial licensure map lists the examinations each state board accepts.
Administered by Regional and national testing agencies (states variously list ADEX, CRDTS, SRTA, CITA, CDCA, WREB or a state-run examination).
- Program accreditation
CODA · Commission on Dental Accreditation
In most states, licensure requires a degree from an accredited dental hygiene program. CODA is the body that accredits allied dental education programs, including dental hygiene, in the United States.
- How long the training takes
About 3 years
An associate's degree is the usual entry credential and programs typically take 3 years to complete; bachelor's degrees are also available, and master's programs exist but are relatively uncommon. A bachelor's or master's is usually required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.
- Continuing education
Required to stay credentialed
Every state requires continuing education to maintain licensure. The number of hours and the renewal cycle are set by each state board, so there is no single national figure.
Licensing and state variation
Licensed state by state
Every state licenses dental hygienists and requirements vary. What differs most: which clinical examination the board accepts (state entries list ADEX, CRDTS, SRTA, CITA, CDCA, WREB or a state-run practical exam); the level of dentist supervision required and whether the state grants direct-access or independent-practice authority; and which additional functions, such as administering nitrous oxide or placing restorations, a hygienist may perform and under what certificate. ADHA reports that as of August 2025 all states permit dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia, while nitrous oxide authority is still limited to some states. States are also adopting the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact at different rates.
Who governs the credential
- Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) — Accredits dental, advanced dental and allied dental education programs in the United States, including dental hygiene programs.
- Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) — Governing body for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and, since 2025, the Dental Hygiene Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination (DHLOSCE).
- American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) — Publishes state-by-state maps of dental hygiene licensure requirements, accepted clinical examinations and scope of practice.
- American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) — One of several agencies whose clinical examinations state boards accept for dental hygiene and dental licensure.
Credential detail for dental hygienists is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dental Hygienists · checked August 23, 2026
- Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) · checked August 23, 2026
- JCNDE: National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) · checked August 23, 2026
- JCNDE: Dental Hygiene Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination (DHLOSCE) · checked August 23, 2026
- ADHA: Dental Hygiene Licensure Maps · checked August 23, 2026
- ADHA: Scope of Practice · checked August 23, 2026
- CareerOneStop: Find Licenses (state licensing board requirements) · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Dental hygienists typically need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene. Programs usually take 3 years to complete. All states require dental hygienists to be licensed; requirements vary by state.
| Typical entry-level education | Associate's degree |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Some preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as dental hygienists.
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)75.2%
- First Professional Degree12.7%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate9.0%
- Bachelor's Degree3.1%
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.
Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene. They also educate patients about oral health.
Day-to-day tasks
- 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.
- Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
- Attend continuing education courses to maintain or update skills.
- Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
- Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Many dental hygienists work part time. Dentists may hire hygienists to work only a few days a week, so some hygienists work for more than one dentist.
Where the work happens
- Indoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day
Physical demands
- Seated for more than half the working day
- Regular bending or twisting
Working with people
- Constant contact with other people
- Face-to-face discussions every day
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Where dental hygienists work
| Offices of dentists | 94% |
|---|---|
| Offices of physicians | 1% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 1% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
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
- Learning Strategies2.8/5
Transferable skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Service Orientation3.1/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Persuasion3.0/5
- Instructing3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.9/5
Tools and software
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Billing and invoicing software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Electronic mail software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Dental Hygienist?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary5.3
Investigativeprimary4.5
Artistic1.1
Socialprimary5.3
Enterprising1.7
Conventional4.3
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Dental Hygienist: frequently asked questions
How much do Dental Hygienists make?
Dental Hygienists earn a median of $98,100 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 92% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $47.16/hr. The middle half earn between $83,570 and $108,480. The top 10% earn $126,050 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Dental Hygienist?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Dental Hygienists. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 75.2% hold associate's degree (or other 2-year degree).
Is Dental Hygienist a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 7.0% over 2024–2034, more than double the 3.1% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 15,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Dental Hygienist do?
Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene. A core O*NET task: record and review patient medical histories. Employers most often ask for Medical software, Office suite software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Dental Hygienists the most?
The highest state medians for Dental Hygienists are District of Columbia ($137,220), Alaska ($132,690), Washington ($131,160) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Alaska moves to the top at $129,632.
What personality type suits a Dental Hygienist?
O*NET scores Dental Hygienists highest on the Social, Realistic and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISFJ, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
How long does it take to become a Dental Hygienist?
About 3 years. An associate's degree is the usual entry credential and programs typically take 3 years to complete; bachelor's degrees are also available, and master's programs exist but are relatively uncommon. A bachelor's or master's is usually required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.
Do you need a license to work as a Dental Hygienist?
Yes, and it is issued by the state you work in, not nationally. Every state licenses dental hygienists and requirements vary. What differs most: which clinical examination the board accepts (state entries list ADEX, CRDTS, SRTA, CITA, CDCA, WREB or a state-run practical exam); the level of dentist supervision required and whether the state grants direct-access or independent-practice authority; and which additional functions, such as administering nitrous oxide or placing restorations, a hygienist may perform and under what certificate. ADHA reports that as of August 2025 all states permit dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia, while nitrous oxide authority is still limited to some states. States are also adopting the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact at different rates.
What exams do you have to pass to become a Dental Hygienist?
The NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Examination), the DHLOSCE (Dental Hygiene Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination), the Clinical licensure examination accepted by the state board. Written examination assessing biomedical and dental hygiene science knowledge applied to problem solving. All US licensing jurisdictions recognize it, and it is intended to fulfill or partly fulfill the written examination requirement for licensure in every state. Delivered year round at Pearson VUE test centers; total test time is 9 hours.