SOC 291292

Dental Hygienists

Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.

National Median

$94,260

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$94,260

Entry Level (10th pct)

$66,470

Experienced (90th pct)

$120,060

Total Employed

219,070

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience LevelEstimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience$66,470 - $80,060
Mid Career2-8 years experience$80,060 - $102,920
Senior / Expert8+ years experience$102,920 - $120,060

Highest Paying Locations for Dental Hygienists

Dental Hygienists Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan AreaMedian SalaryEmployed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$135,0101,560
Vallejo, CA$134,450190
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA$132,010280
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$131,8902,700
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA$131,610320
Fairbanks-College, AK$130,110100
Anchorage, AK$129,780460
Alaska$129,760770
Alaska nonmetropolitan area$129,210210
District of Columbia$127,900330
Napa, CA$127,840100
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA$127,120170
Boulder, CO$125,980400
Washington$125,3705,140
Stockton-Lodi, CA$124,550350
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA$122,740220
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA$122,520570
Salinas, CA$122,050170
Yuba City, CA$121,67070
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$121,3102,180
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA$121,100220
California$121,08022,940
Modesto, CA$121,010210
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$120,3002,000
Bellingham, WA$120,030160
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area$119,05090
Chico, CA$118,990110
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$118,9502,170
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area$118,690100
Bend, OR$118,580240
Grants Pass, OR$118,36070
Oregon$118,2803,640
Salem, OR$116,780360
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA$116,740100
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area$116,500220
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA$115,770190
Western Washington nonmetropolitan area$113,720160
El Centro, CA$109,12040
Medford, OR$109,100220
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$109,0401,420
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$109,0202,510
Albany, OR$109,02080
Yakima, WA$107,870180
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO$107,8702,400
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area$107,860160
Corvallis, OR$107,60070
Reno, NV$107,420500
Longview-Kelso, WA$107,11090
Kennewick-Richland, WA$107,100240
Redding, CA$106,960100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Dental Hygienists?
The national median annual salary for Dental Hygienists is $94,260, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.
Where do Dental Hygienistss earn the most?
The highest-paying metro area for Dental Hygienistss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $135,010.
How much can an experienced Dental Hygienists make?
Top-earning Dental Hygienistss (90th percentile) make $120,060 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.