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.
Dental Hygienists
SOC: 29-1292 O*NET: 29-1292.00
Median Salary
$98,100
per year
Job Growth
📈 7%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
15.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Dental Hygienists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$74,880
10th percentile
Early Career
$83,570
25th percentile
Median
$98,100
50th percentile
Experienced
$108,480
75th percentile
Top Earners
$126,050
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$74,880
25th
$83,570
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$98,100
Mean: $98,990
75th
$108,480
90th
$126,050
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $51,170 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $83,570 and $108,480
- •Salary spread is 25.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 222,740 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:221,600
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services97.3%
Offices of Dentists95%
Outpatient Care Centers1.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+7%
Annual Openings:15,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)221,600
Current
2034 (Projected)237,200
+7%
+15,500
Employment Change
+7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Dental Hygienists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
24,500 jobs$124,9300.94x
Texas
16,380 jobs$99,2400.81x
New York
13,660 jobs$106,1300.98x
Florida
11,980 jobs$91,9800.84x
Illinois
8,970 jobs$96,6701.03x
Michigan
8,640 jobs$83,7901.37x
Ohio
8,630 jobs$88,9901.09x
Pennsylvania
7,970 jobs$80,6100.92x
Georgia
7,440 jobs$95,4901.06x
New Jersey
7,230 jobs$107,0401.18x
Massachusetts
6,850 jobs$100,6401.31x
North Carolina
6,690 jobs$97,8500.95x
Washington
6,330 jobs$131,1601.24x
Wisconsin
5,080 jobs$96,5401.21x
Indiana
5,020 jobs$92,3301.09x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Social Perceptiveness
80%
#5
Service Orientation
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Writing
60%
#8
Instructing
54%
#9
Time Management
46%
#10
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.0
80%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Writing
intermediate3.0
60%
Instructing
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Instructing
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Personal Care Aides90%
5 shared skills
Counter and Rental Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Psychiatric Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Writing
- →Instructing
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Service Orientation
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Dental Hygienists
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Henry Schein Dentrix
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Henry Schein Dentrix
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
VERY HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet very high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (10)Planning & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)
1
Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Expose and develop x-ray film.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Remove excess cement from coronal surfaces of teeth.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Make impressions for study casts.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Administer local anesthetic agents.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Dental Hygienists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Dental Hygienists professionals typically have a SRI Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
RRealistic
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Dental Hygienists
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.86
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.83
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.77
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.72
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.64
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.48
Complete Work Styles Profile
Concern for Others
4.9
Integrity
4.8
Dependability
4.8
Cooperation
4.7
Self-Control
4.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Independence
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.4
Social Orientation
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Dental Hygienists.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Dental Hygienists
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
11.1k program completions/year
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA
2.2k program completions/year
South Florida Institute of Technology
Miami, FL
1.8k program completions/year
Hondros College of Nursing
Columbus, OH
1.7k program completions/year
Northwest Career College
Las Vegas, NV
1.5k program completions/year
Mountainland Technical College
Lehi, UT
1.4k program completions/year
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay, WI
1.3k program completions/year
Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, WI
1.3k program completions/year
College of Lake County
Grayslake, IL
1.3k program completions/year
Central Georgia Technical College
Warner Robins, GA
1.2k program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
1.2k program completions/year
American Career College-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
1.2k program completions/year