Dentist vs dental hygienist salary
General Dentists earn more — about 74% ($72,850) above Dental Hygienists. General Dentist: $170,950; Dental Hygienist: $98,100.
As of BLS OEWS May 2025.
General DentistHigher pay
$170,950
$82.19/hr median
Verified
Dental Hygienist
$98,100
$47.16/hr median
Verified
- Dentist median
- $170,950
- Hygienist median
- $98,100
- Gap
- $72,850
- Gap (%)
- 74%
Side-by-side distribution
| Metric | Dentist | Hygienist |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $170,950 | $98,100 |
| 10th percentile | $86,250 | $74,880 |
| 90th percentile | $319,630 | $126,050 |
| Median hourly | $82.19/hr | $47.16/hr |
Median annual
- Dentist
- $170,950
- Hygienist
- $98,100
10th percentile
- Dentist
- $86,250
- Hygienist
- $74,880
90th percentile
- Dentist
- $319,630
- Hygienist
- $126,050
Median hourly
- Dentist
- $82.19/hr
- Hygienist
- $47.16/hr
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Who earns more, a general dentist or a dental hygienist?
General Dentists earn more — about 74% ($72,850) above Dental Hygienists. General Dentist: $170,950; Dental Hygienist: $98,100.
Figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. How DentalSalary works →
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