Dental Hygienist salary: how much do hygienists make?
As of 2025, the median dental hygienist in the U.S. earns $98,100 ($47.16/hr).
BLS OEWS May 2025 for dental hygienist (SOC 29-1292): verified national median $98,100/yr ($47.16/hr median), mean $98,990, employment ≈ 222,740. Many hygienists work part-time and are paid hourly, so the hourly median is the most comparable benchmark.
Pay over time: 2024 → 2026
2024 and 2025 are BLS OEWS actuals; 2026 is a modeled projection (never labeled verified). See the 2026 dental pay outlook →
What does a hygienist earn where you are?
Pick a state and metro for a local estimate, and see how it compares to the national median.
A clearly-labeled local estimate — the verified national benchmark adjusted for location. Open the full calculator to add experience, setting, and your offer.
Pay distribution
Full dental hygienist wage distribution. Values marked “est.” are interpolated between published percentiles.
| Percentile | Annual pay | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentilei | $74,880 | $36.00/hr |
| 25th percentilei | $83,570 | $40.18/hr |
| Median (50th)i | $98,100 | $47.16/hr |
| 75th percentilei | $108,480 | $52.15/hr |
| 90th percentilei | $126,050 | $60.60/hr |
| Mean (average)i | $98,990 | $47.59/hr |
What drives hygienist pay
- Hourly rate and number of clinical days per week
- Geographic cost of labor (hygiene pay varies widely by metro)
- Temp/agency vs. permanent employment
- Years of experience and local hygienist supply
- Benefits and per-diem premiums
About the role
Dental hygienists perform cleanings, take and develop dental radiographs, apply sealants and fluoride, and document oral health. Many are paid hourly and a large share work part-time, which makes hourly pay the most useful benchmark for this role.
Career path
- Associate degree in dental hygiene (accredited program) + state license
- Clinical hygienist in private practice or DSO
- Bachelor's/master's for education, public health, or corporate roles
Typical responsibilities
- Remove plaque, tartar, and stains from teeth
- Take and develop dental radiographs
- Apply sealants and fluoride treatments
- Screen patients and review oral-health history
- Educate patients on oral hygiene
Dental Hygienist salary by state
Top modeled estimates. See all states →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental hygienist make?
The median dental hygienist earns $98,100 ($47.16/hr) per the latest data.
What is the 2026 dental hygienist salary estimate?
About $102,000 in 2026 — a modeled projection of the verified 2025 figure ($98,100). The 2026 figure is an estimate, not a verified value.
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