CAREER OUTLOOK
Dental Hygienists must obtain licensure for clinical practice. Contributing factors to dental hygiene salaries include experience, level of responsibility, and practice setting. There is a considerable difference in salary based on geographic regions within the country, and proximity to large metropolitan areas.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational outlook projections for the years 2021-2031 indicate dental hygiene is projected to grow 9 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations. Nationally, the mean hourly wage is $39.12. Wages vary around the country.