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Dental Hygienists

Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed

Compare to another career

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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $98,100/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$74,880$126,050

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +7% projected growth, 2024–2034 — faster than average.

About 15,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessWritingMonitoringService OrientationActive LearningReading ComprehensionCoordination
Top knowledge areas
Medicine and DentistryCustomer and Personal ServicePsychologyEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingComputers and ElectronicsPublic Safety and SecurityChemistry
Core 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.

• 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.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Dental Hygienists?

The median pay for Dental Hygienists is $98,100 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Dental Hygienists?

Employment for Dental Hygienists is projected to change +7% from 2024 to 2034 - faster than average.

What education is typically required for Dental Hygienists?

Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Dental Hygienists?

About 15,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.