Dental Hygienist: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Dental Hygienists earn a national median of $94,260/yr with 7% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Medicine and Dentistry, Customer and Personal Service, Psychology.
Median Salary
$94,260
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
7%
About as fast as average
Employed Nationally
219,070
2024 data
Typical Education
Associate's degree
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Dental Hygienist
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Dental Hygienist candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Dental Hygienist performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Dental Hygienist roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 7% for Dental Hygienist roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 219,070
- Projected Growth
- 7%
- Typical Education
- Associate's degree
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Dental Hygienist do?
- Dental Hygienists apply expertise in Medicine and Dentistry, Customer and Personal Service, Psychology to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Writing.
- How much does a Dental Hygienist make?
- The national median salary for a Dental Hygienist is $94,260 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Dental Hygienist a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Dental Hygienist roles is projected to grow 7% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 219,070 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Dental Hygienist?
- The typical entry-level education for a Dental Hygienist is Associate's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Dental Hygienists need?
- The most important skills for Dental Hygienist roles based on verified occupational data: Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Writing, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Coordination. Key tools and technologies include: Henry Schein Dentrix.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.