What Dental Hygienists do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Dental Hygienists this way: "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 core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments"; "Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease"; "Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist"; "Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer"; "Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is associate's degree.
Job outlook for Dental Hygienists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 225,300 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 243,200 in 2035, an increase of 17,900 jobs (+8%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 15,000 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 6.7% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $98,100, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Dental Hygienists earn the most
Across the 3 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $105,239 in New York to $126,289 in California, a gap of $21,050 (1.20 times). 3 of those 3 states average above the BLS national median of $98,100 and 0 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 24,370, which is 38.7% of the 63,010 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 19,590.
Highest-paying states
California ($126,289), New Jersey ($106,776) and New York ($105,239) lead the ranking, while New York ($105,239) and New Jersey ($106,776) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Dental Hygienists: pay against the cost of living
We compare 3 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $49,614. The smallest margin is $39,319 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 3 of the 3 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 29.5% and 40.8% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Dental Hygienists
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (29-1000) include General Internal Medicine Physicians, Pharmacists, Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners.
Frequently asked questions about Dental Hygienists
What is the national median wage for Dental Hygienists?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $98,100. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $105,239 to $126,289.
Which state pays Dental Hygienists the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $126,289. New Jersey is next at $106,776.
What is the job outlook for Dental Hygienists?
BLS projects employment to grow by 8% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 15,000 openings a year.
What education do Dental Hygienists need?
The typical entry-level education is associate's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Dental Hygienists afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $49,614 on a median wage of $109,720.