How to Become a Dental Hygienist
Examine patients for oral diseases, clean teeth, and provide preventive dental care and education. It typically requires an associate's degree (accredited dental hygiene program), with a median salary of $98,100 per year and much faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$98,100/yr
Job growth
7%
Openings / yr
15,300
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Periodontal Care
- Patient Education
- Radiography
- Anatomy
- Manual Dexterity
Helpful certifications
- NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Examination)
- State Licensure
- Local Anesthesia Certification
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
2/100
Work-life balance
78/100
Stress level
35/100
Satisfaction
75/100
Related careers
- Psychiatrist$281,870 median
- Physician (Family Medicine)$244,180 median
- Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)$236,590 median
- Dentist$170,950 median
- Pharmacist$140,910 median
- Optometrist$136,570 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Dental Hygienist make?
The median pay for a Dental Hygienist is $98,100 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Actual pay varies with experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become a Dental Hygienist?
The usual entry point is an associate's degree (accredited dental hygiene program). Common majors are Dental Hygiene, Health Sciences, and Biology.
Is Dental Hygienist a growing field?
The BLS projects much faster than average demand for this role, about 7% over the decade, with roughly 15,300 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Dental Hygienist use most?
Common skills for this role are Periodontal Care, Patient Education, Radiography, Anatomy, and Manual Dexterity.
Planning to become a Dental Hygienist?
Save this career to your PlanexAI path and track the majors, courses, and milestones that lead to it.
Not sure this is right for you?
Take our free 2-minute quiz to match your interests to majors and careers.
Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.