DENTAL HYGIENIST SALARY AND CAREER OUTLOOK

Dental Hygienist Salary

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics found the median annual salary for dental hygienists was $76,220 in May 2019. According to the same data, dental hygienists who work on an hourly basis earn about $37 per hour. Even though having work experience may be part of the qualifications needed to enter into certain schools, experience doesn’t necessarily help increase salary. Experience may allow you to get a dental hygienist’s job, but rarely increases your chances for a higher salary, especially at the entry-level.

Many dental hygienists work multiple jobs or work part-time while pursuing a doctorate. Your salary can also depend on factors like qualifications and where you work. Entry-level dental hygienists typically earn less than those in research, teaching, or corporate positions.

Work benefits such as vacation, sick leave, and pension may depend on the employe and whether you are a full-time dental hygienist or a part-time dental hygienist. Your work type can also affect your income.  

Dental hygienist average annual salary based on work place according to BLS:

Because of the increasing rise in dental hygienists’ demand, dentists often hire more than one dental hygienist to assist them. A dentist may also employ part-time dental hygienists to work 3-4 times a week as required. In a survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2019, the top 10% of dental hygienists earned over $103,000.

States That Pay The Highest Salaries To Dental Hygienists

Along with salaries, dental hygienists can enjoy other benefits, including an abundance of job opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statics predicts that dental hygienists’ demand will increase by 6% through 2029.

Career Outlook For Dental Hygienists

One of the most important aspects to look for when applying for a degree or program is to check the job outlook. Your job outlook will tell you a concise prediction of what your future might look like. It shows the areas with the most employment rates and also the sites that pay the best. A career outlook can also determine the number of job openings in 5-10 years.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics takes surveys to study statistics for these jobs. According to them, there are currently about 200,000 jobs held by dental hygienists in the US. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects this number to grow exponentially in 10 years. This statistics means that the growth will increase by 19%, which is faster than average for most careers. Approximately there will be about 37,000 new jobs for dental hygienists by 2024.

The demand for dental services has increased with the aging of the population. The older generation is looking into preventive dental healthcare, which causes a spike in demand for more dental workers. 

Advancements in technology related to dental health and hygiene continue to drive preventive dental services. Dentists also demand dental hygienist since their job is vital in dental practice. The employment rates for dental hygienists look excellent even well into the future. State and regional laws ensure that dental assistants get all necessary certifications. This law is why they are always at the top of their game, making them experts in the field.

Job Growth And Employment Of Dental Hygienists

States with the highest employment level:

If you look at industries that hire the most dental hygienists, it is dental offices. These are the private or group dental clinics and operations. It also has the highest number of dental hygienists on the job and the highest paying industry. The number of openings in this occupation is likely to exceed the number of graduates from dental hygiene programs. Enrolling in a dental plan is very competitive. It requires several prior certificates and qualifications. Because of the increase in employment rates, the number of people enrolling in accredited dental hygiene programs exceeds the number of accepted students. The job prospect for dental hygienists in the future predicts better opportunities for those who are willing to work in underprivileged areas. There are also more opportunities and job openings available to those willing to work 40 hours or less in a week. The biggest reason why there is so much employability among dental assistants is because of their employment type. Dentists usually hire more than one dental hygienist who works part-time. Part-time workers enjoy the freedom of flex-time. They can manage time in such a way that they can work for more than one dentist. Dental hygienists who work multiple jobs sometimes earn more than full-time workers. There are so many choices of the workplace for dental hygienists to choose from. You can work as an office administrator or as a technician in a dental setup. You can even function as an educator in schools that offer programs to teach students on dental hygiene. There are also opportunities for dental hygienists to work as dental sales representatives and suppliers for dental corporations. If you aspire to become a dentist, you can start by working your way towards getting a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. The path to becoming a dental hygienist(interlink-How To Become A Dental Hygienist Page) is relatively straightforward. Bachelor’s degree programs usually last four years, after which you can take a series of exams that will qualify you as a certified dental hygienist. There are in-person, online, and dental hygienist programs(interlink-Dental Hygienist Programs Page) so getting the proper education and training can fit into a lot of different lifestyles.
Dental hygienist as a job holds very promising guarantees for your career. Research shows that the dental hygienist job ranks as the fifth-best health care support job in the US. It is so versatile that you can work in several settings as a hygienist, educator, researcher, sales representative, and much more.