Dental Hygienist
- National median pay (2025)
- $98,100
- Route into the job
- An associate degree is typical, but programs usually take three years. Check prerequisites, clinical placement, and state licensing requirements before estimating when paid clinical work can begin.
- Prior related experience
- No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
- Training and licensing
- BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
- Physical work
- Repetitive hand movements, precise instrument control, and sustained treatment posture. Ask about ergonomics and breaks.
- Schedule and hours
- Many work part time, sometimes for multiple dentists. Ask about guaranteed hours and eligibility for benefits.
- Annual openings (2025–2035)
- 15,000
A high annualized wage can coexist with limited weekly hours. Ask for the paid hours and benefits in a specific offer.
BLS: entry routes, workplace, and schedules · Reviewed September 6, 2026. BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections.
Annualized wages are benchmarks, not promised part-time income. Compare paid hours and benefits with an actual offer. BLS wage methodology. O*NET: repetitive movements and hand use.
What the workforce research adds
ADA research found recruiting dental hygienists remained difficult for many practices. Among dentists actively or recently recruiting a hygienist, 91% said hiring was very or extremely challenging.
ADA Health Policy Institute · April 2026. Survey measures differ across careers; their percentages are not directly comparable. A national survey does not establish local hiring odds or the quality of a particular employer.