Dental Hygienists
Dental hygienists provide preventive oral care to patients in dental offices and clinics. They clean teeth, assess oral health problems, take X-rays, and educate patients on proper brushing and flossing. Hygienists may also apply fluoride treatments or topical anesthesia under a dentist's supervision.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against dental hygienists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical day involves seeing multiple patients in scheduled appointments. Dental hygienists clean teeth, review patient medical histories, take radiographs, and document findings in patient records. They perform assessments of gum health and tooth condition, then present findings to the dentist. Patient education on oral hygiene techniques and disease prevention happens throughout the day, with time spent both in treatment rooms and at workstations reviewing charts.
Who this work suits
Holland code SRI. Social work is helping, teaching and working closely with people. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely enjoy helping people improve their health and appreciate hands-on clinical work. You're organized and detail-oriented, comfortable with direct patient interaction and technical procedures. People drawn to this work value the practical, evidence-based nature of preventive care and the opportunity to make a concrete difference in patients' wellbeing.
What it takes
Preparation: Medium preparation (vocational training, an associate degree, or related experience). Most people in this occupation hold an associate degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Dental Hygienist · Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Hickam AFB, Hawaii · $77957–$101347
- Dental Hygienist · Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Sheppard AFB, Texas · $50460–$65599
- Dental Hygienist · Indian Health Service · Gallup, New Mexico · $76376–$90695
- Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical) · Veterans Health Administration · Ann Arbor, Michigan · $74972–$97458
- Dental Hygienist · Veterans Health Administration · Conroe, Texas · $46979–$92541
- Dental Hygienist · Veterans Health Administration · Huntington, West Virginia · $42684–$84082
- Dental Hygienist · Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania · $51481–$66927
- Community Health Dental Hygienist · Indian Health Service · Red Lake, Minnesota · $84371–$100193
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $104,470 | $137,220 | $138,710 | 320 |
| Alaska | $130,340 | $132,690 | $136,450 | 790 |
| Washington | $122,000 | $131,160 | $134,670 | 6,330 |
| California | $109,730 | $124,930 | $132,120 | 24,500 |
| Oregon | $109,640 | $122,080 | $126,460 | 3,600 |
| Nevada | $104,330 | $115,290 | $121,730 | 1,510 |
| Colorado | $102,580 | $109,580 | $125,470 | 4,270 |
| Maryland | $103,150 | $107,830 | $120,070 | 3,500 |
| New Jersey | $101,270 | $107,040 | $115,470 | 7,230 |
| New York | $89,960 | $106,130 | $121,740 | 13,660 |
| Minnesota | $99,040 | $103,970 | $116,350 | 4,110 |
| Virginia | $97,630 | $102,950 | $119,690 | 3,770 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- ADEX Dental Hygienist — CDCA-WREB-CITA (ADEX)
- Certified Dental Technician - Orthodontics (CDT-O) — National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology
- Certified Dental Technician - Partial Dentures (CDT-PD) — National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology
- Certified Dental Technician - Crown and Bridge (CDT-CB) — National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology
- Certified Dental Technician - Ceramics (CDT-C) — National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology
- Certified Dental Technician - Complete Dentures (CDT-CD) — National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against dental hygienists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 29-1292.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.