Updated on January 30, 2025
2 min read

Dental Hygienist Salary (Average by State in 2025)

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A dental hygienist can be a rewarding profession that offers a stable income and the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s oral health.

In this article, we’ll discuss the average salary for dental hygienists across the country, examine how factors like experience and location can influence your earnings, and discuss the educational requirements and career outlook for this profession.

What is the Average Salary for a Dental Hygienist in the US?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for a dental hygienist in the U.S. is $81,360. However, salaries can range from $60,000 to $100,000, depending on experience and location.

Additionally, dental hygienists in larger cities usually make more money than those in smaller towns. Those with more experience can also expect to earn a higher salary. 

Average Dental Hygienist Salary by State

Here’s the average dental hygienist salary by state:

StateAnnual mean wageHourly mean wageAnnual median wageHourly median wage
Alabama$51,130$24.58$48,540$23.34
Alaska$115,510$55.53$125,840$60.50
Arizona$83,300$40.05$78,140$37.57
Arkansas$74,360$35.75$77,360$37.19
California$108,200$52.02$99,440$47.81
Colorado$86,890$41.77$96,510$46.40
Connecticut$88,610$42.60$94,960$45.65
Delaware$83,560$40.18$80,080$38.50
District of Columbia$81,400$39.14$78,960$37.96
Florida$73,180$35.18$77,180$37.11
Georgia$73,140$35.16$76,240$36.65
Hawaii$81,970$39.41$77,730$37.37
Idaho$75,040$36.08$77,460$37.24
Illinois$76,640$36.84$77,270$37.15
Indiana$74,450$35.79$77,030$37.03
Iowa$76,010$36.55$77,030$37.03
Kansas$72,540$34.88$75,700$36.39
Kentucky$61,500$29.57$61,340$29.49
Louisiana$74,240$35.69$76,890$36.97
Maine$71,640$34.44$75,190$36.15
Maryland$89,340$42.95$98,360$47.29
Massachusetts$87,030$41.84$95,360$45.85
Michigan$66,720$32.08$62,180$29.90
Minnesota$79,820$38.38$77,810$37.41
Mississippi$57,670$27.72$59,440$28.58
Missouri$74,230$35.69$76,930$36.99
Montana$80,140$38.53$77,920$37.46
Nebraska$75,700$36.39$76,760$36.91
Nevada$89,460$43.01$97,340$46.80
New Hampshire$82,660$39.74$78,340$37.66
New Jersey$87,070$41.86$79,490$38.22
New Mexico$84,480$40.62$79,690$38.31
New York$83,600$40.19$78,470$37.73
North Carolina$72,500$34.86$76,820$36.93
North Dakota$69,440$33.39$75,440$36.27
Ohio$72,280$34.75$76,820$36.94
Oklahoma$83,290$40.04$79,380$38.17
Oregon$94,420$45.40$98,260$47.24
Pennsylvania$71,710$34.48$76,180$36.63
Rhode Island$77,140$37.09$77,980$37.49
South Carolina$65,440$31.46$62,500$30.05
South Dakota$74,600$35.87$76,550$36.80
Tennessee$68,770$33.06$75,220$36.16
Texas$75,970$36.53$77,600$37.31
Utah$74,110$35.63$77,510$37.27
Vermont$73,650$35.41$76,410$36.74
Virginia$83,150$39.98$89,930$43.24
Washington$106,200$51.06$99,940$48.05
West Virginia$61,050$29.35$60,430$29.06
Wisconsin$72,540$34.87$76,110$36.59
Wyoming$78,010$37.50$77,270$37.15

10 Best Paying States for Dental Hygienists

The top-paying states for dental hygienists are:3

10 Best Paying States for Dental Hygienists

10 Best Paying Cities for Dental Hygienists

Metropolitan areaHourly mean wageAnnual mean wage
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA$60.46$125,750
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$58.97$122,660
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA$57.37$119,320
Anchorage, AK$55.90$116,270
Santa Rosa, CA$55.64$115,730
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA$54.99$114,370
Fairbanks, AK$54.75$113,880
Napa, CA$54.10$112,520
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$53.65$111,600
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA$53.48$111,240

Educational Requirements for Dental Hygienists

To become a dental hygienist, you need to complete an accredited dental hygiene program. Currently, the Commission on Dental Accreditation is the only accrediting body for dental hygiene programs in the United States.

These programs typically take three years to complete and include courses in anatomy, medical ethics, and periodontics. In addition to completing a dental hygiene program, you must also be licensed in the state in which you wish to practice. 

Licensure requirements typically vary by state, but they often include: 

  • Completing an accredited entry-level program
  • Passing the written National Dental Hygiene Board Exam
  • Passing state-level exams.

Should You Be a Dental Hygienist?

Dental hygiene is a relatively stable profession with significant growth. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental hygienist employment is projected to grow 9% from 2021 to 2031.

Over the decade, there is an average projection of about 16,300 openings for dental hygienists each year. Additionally, demand for dental hygienists is expected to grow as state laws increasingly allow dental hygienists to work at the top of their training.

However, if you’re interested in the dental field but don’t want to become a dental hygienist, there are other options, including: 

  • Dental assistant
  • Dental laboratory technician
  • Health educator
  • Dentist
  • Orthodontist

Last updated on January 30, 2025
7 Sources Cited
Last updated on January 30, 2025
All NewMouth content is medically reviewed and fact-checked by a licensed dentist or orthodontist to ensure the information is factual, current, and relevant.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only cite from current scientific research, such as scholarly articles, dentistry textbooks, government agencies, and medical journals. This also includes information provided by the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
  1. Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021.” US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  2. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dental Hygienists.” US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  3. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dental Hygienists: Job Outlook.” US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  4. Accreditation Standards for Dental Hygiene Education Programs.” Commission on Dental Accreditation, 2022.
  5. Path to Becoming a Dental Hygienist, a Step-by-Step Guide.” Concorde Career Colleges, 2020.
  6. Career Paths.” American Dental Hygienists’ Association.
  7. DENTAL HYGIENIST PROJECTED GROWTH IN THE UNITED STATES.” Zippia.com.
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