Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists educate dental patients on proper hygiene, perform preventative procedures to prevent cavities, and remove stains on teeth. Dental hygienists also perform basic examinations to determine whether patients have noticeable dental problems.
Dental hygienists utilize the following tools: ultrasonic technology, x- ray equipment, and handheld instruments. Hygienists also use teeth models to explain preventative dental care to patients and place fluoride and other cavity prevention chemicals on teeth to prevent decay. Hygienists working in certain states are permitted to apply anesthetics with needles, apply periodontal dressings, refurbish metal restorations, and place filling compounds in teeth.
Dental hygienists often provide patients with tips to take care of their teeth. They commonly advise patients about flossing and brushing techniques and explain to patients how their diets affect their dental health.
In some cases, hygienists diagnosis dental problems or administer diagnostic exams to be reviewed by dentists. Hygienists often work next to dentists to assist them while they perform their work.
Work environment. Dental hygienists assist patients in brightly lit, clean environments. Hygienists must follow safety protocols when administering x-rays and anesthesia. To protect themselves from diseases, hygienists wear masks and other protective clothing.
Dental hygienists usually determine their own hours. Hygienists can either work during the weekends or nights if they prefer. Since dentists usually schedule them to work 2-3 days per week, hygienists have the option to work in other dental clinics. Over 50 percent of hygienists work fewer than 35 hours every week.
Training and Education
Earning an associate degree is recommended for individuals who want to position themselves for advancement in this career. About 35% of dental hygienists possess a degree. Those that started college, but did not earn a bachelor's degree, represent about 62% of all dental hygienists. Dental hygienists with a high school diploma, but no formal college education, make up about 3% of all dental hygienists.
Dental Hygienists Around the Country
Each metro area in the list below is rated based on the relative popularity of dental hygienists compared to other locations throughout the nation. Single or double up arrows or down arrows indicate the relative popularity of the dental hygienist career in that location. Within each state listing, metro areas are sorted in accending order according to the actual number of dental hygienist jobs in that state.
Alabama
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Birmingham | $44,000 | 730 |  |
| Huntsville | $47,000 | 320 | |
| Mobile | $47,000 | 270 | |
| Montgomery | $43,000 | 220 | |
| Tuscaloosa | $43,000 | 140 | |
| Dothan | $42,000 | 140 | |
| Florence | $31,000 | 130 | |
| Decatur | $37,000 | 110 | |
| Anniston | $39,000 | 100 | |
| Auburn | $45,000 | 70 | |
| Gadsden | $38,000 | 60 | |
Alaska
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Anchorage | $94,000 | 280 | |
Arizona
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Phoenix | $68,000 | 2,010 |  |
| Tucson | $74,000 | 630 | |
| Flagstaff | $70,000 | 100 | |
| Prescott | $74,000 | 100 | |
| Kingman | $74,000 | 60 | |
Arkansas
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Little Rock | $58,000 | 430 | |
| Fayetteville | $64,000 | 240 | |
| Jonesboro | $58,000 | 90 | |
| Hot Springs | $63,000 | 40 | |
California
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Oakland | $98,000 | 2,180 | |
| Santa Ana | $79,000 | 2,150 | |
| Sacramento | $86,000 | 1,450 | |
| San Diego | $84,000 | 1,440 | |
| Riverside | $83,000 | 1,380 | |
| San Francisco | $95,000 | 1,280 | |
| San Jose | $88,000 | 770 | |
| Oxnard | $85,000 | 580 | |
| Fresno | $66,000 | 380 | |
| Santa Rosa | $115,000 | 360 | |
| Santa Cruz | $81,000 | 320 | |
| Stockton | $73,000 | 300 | |
| San Luis Obispo | $83,000 | 260 | |
| Vallejo | $91,000 | 250 | |
| Santa Barbara | $80,000 | 250 | |
| Modesto | $66,000 | 220 | |
| Salinas | $97,000 | 120 | |
| Yuba City | $92,000 | 110 | |
| Visalia | $77,000 | 110 | |
| Merced | $94,000 | 100 | |
| Napa | $97,000 | 80 | |
| Redding | $80,000 | 70 | |
| Hanford | $72,000 | 50 | |
| Madera | $77,000 | 40 | |
Colorado
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Denver | $77,000 | 1,560 | |
| Colorado Springs | $64,000 | 350 | |
| Fort Collins | $72,000 | 300 | |
| Boulder | $83,000 | 270 | |
| Grand Junction | $66,000 | 120 | |
| Pueblo | $68,000 | 50 | |
Connecticut
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Hartford | $70,000 | 880 | |
| Bridgeport | $75,000 | 780 | |
| New Haven | $70,000 | 460 | |
| Norwich | $70,000 | 290 | |
| Danbury | $71,000 | 230 | |
| Waterbury | $72,000 | 110 | |
Delaware
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Wilmington | $69,000 | 460 | |
| Dover | $62,000 | 50 | |
District of Columbia
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Washington | $79,000 | 1,990 | |
Florida
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Tampa | $58,000 | 1,130 | |
| Miami | $55,000 | 1,020 | |
| Fort Lauderdale | $61,000 | 1,020 | |
| Orlando | $60,000 | 910 | |
| West Palm Beach | $59,000 | 850 | |
| Jacksonville | $57,000 | 780 | |
| Sarasota | $64,000 | 360 | |
| Palm Bay | $70,000 | 350 | |
| Port St Lucie | $57,000 | 280 | |
| Cape Coral | $72,000 | 270 | |
| Deltona | $53,000 | 230 | |
| Ocala | $53,000 | 190 | |
| Tallahassee | $56,000 | 160 | |
| Pensacola | $50,000 | 150 | |
| Lakeland | $62,000 | 140 | |
| Naples | $68,000 | 130 | |
| Sebastian | $60,000 | 120 | |
| Punta Gorda | $64,000 | 80 | |
| Panama City | $57,000 | 70 | |
Georgia
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Atlanta | $70,000 | 3,460 | |
| Augusta | $55,000 | 390 | |
| Macon | $51,000 | 190 | |
| Savannah | $61,000 | 170 | |
| Athens | $60,000 | 140 | |
| Columbus | $56,000 | 130 | |
| Warner Robins | $41,000 | 110 | |
| Albany | $43,000 | 110 | |
| Gainesville | $61,000 | 80 | |
| Dalton | $57,000 | 60 | |
| Brunswick | $64,000 | 40 | |
| Rome | $59,000 | 40 | |
Hawaii
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Honolulu | $63,000 | 630 | |
Idaho
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Boise | $69,000 | 480 | |
| Idaho Falls | $62,000 | 130 | |
| Pocatello | $61,000 | 90 | |
| Coeur Dalene | $68,000 | 80 | |
| Lewiston | $77,000 | 40 | |
Illinois
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Chicago | $66,000 | 4,320 | |
| Peoria | $43,000 | 300 | |
| Rockford | $67,000 | 230 | |
| Bloomington | $47,000 | 210 | |
| Springfield | $56,000 | 200 | |
| Champaign | $58,000 | 130 | |
| Decatur | $59,000 | 60 | |
| Danville | $55,000 | 40 | |
| Kankakee | $69,000 | 40 | |
Indiana
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Indianapolis | $71,000 | 1,230 | |
| Fort Wayne | $53,000 | 410 | |
| Gary | $64,000 | 350 | |
| Evansville | $58,000 | 240 | |
| South Bend | $60,000 | 240 | |
| Elkhart | $63,000 | 160 | |
| Kokomo | $61,000 | 100 | |
| Bloomington | $67,000 | 90 | |
| Lafayette | $73,000 | 80 | |
| Muncie | $72,000 | 70 | |
| Columbus | $49,000 | 60 | |
| Anderson | $72,000 | 50 | |
Iowa
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Des Moines | $66,000 | 410 | |
| Davenport | $63,000 | 220 | |
| Cedar Rapids | $63,000 | 150 | |
| Dubuque | $55,000 | 110 | |
| Sioux City | $61,000 | 100 | |
| Waterloo | $60,000 | 80 | |
| Iowa City | $50,000 | 60 | |
| Ames | $66,000 | 60 | |
Kansas
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Wichita | $59,000 | 430 | |
| Topeka | $71,000 | 140 | |
| Lawrence | $62,000 | 60 | |
Kentucky
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Louisville | $59,000 | 780 | |
| Lexington | $55,000 | 310 | |
| Owensboro | $53,000 | 90 | |
| Bowling Green | $47,000 | 60 | |
| Elizabethtown | $52,000 | 50 | |
Louisiana
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| New Orleans | $55,000 | 560 | |
| Baton Rouge | $55,000 | 460 | |
| Shreveport | | 170 | |
| Lake Charles | $55,000 | 140 | |
| Houma | $46,000 | 70 | |
| Monroe | $50,000 | 60 | |
| Lafayette | $46,000 | 40 | |
| Alexandria | $53,000 | 40 | |
Maine
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Portland | $62,000 | 410 | |
| Bangor | $51,000 | 120 | |
| Lewiston | $74,000 | 80 | |
Maryland
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Baltimore | $73,000 | 1,350 | |
| Bethesda | $69,000 | 540 | |
| Hagerstown | $65,000 | 130 | |
| Salisbury | $75,000 | 110 | |
| Cumberland | $56,000 | 60 | |
Massachusetts
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Boston | $79,000 | 2,080 | |
| Springfield | $68,000 | 640 | |
| Worcester | $68,000 | 600 | |
| Barnstable Town | $74,000 | 310 | |
| Framingham | $77,000 | 300 | |
| Lowell | $79,000 | 270 | |
| New Bedford | $68,000 | 190 | |
| Haverhill | $79,000 | 180 | |
| Leominster | $74,000 | 170 | |
| Lawrence | $70,000 | 140 | |
| Brockton | $73,000 | 120 | |
| Pittsfield | $67,000 | 80 | |
| Taunton | $73,000 | 60 | |
Michigan
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Warren | $64,000 | 2,790 | |
| Detroit | $62,000 | 1,260 | |
| Grand Rapids | $57,000 | 800 | |
| Lansing | $60,000 | 530 | |
| Flint | $55,000 | 430 | |
| Ann Arbor | $63,000 | 360 | |
| Kalamazoo | $60,000 | 320 | |
| Holland | $61,000 | 250 | |
| Saginaw | $54,000 | 200 | |
| Jackson | $52,000 | 130 | |
| Muskegon | $53,000 | 120 | |
| Bay City | $59,000 | 100 | |
| Monroe | $58,000 | 100 | |
| Niles | $66,000 | 90 | |
| Battle Creek | $55,000 | 80 | |
Minnesota
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Minneapolis | $70,000 | 2,840 | |
| Duluth | $58,000 | 180 | |
| St Cloud | $69,000 | 170 | |
| Rochester | $65,000 | 140 | |
Mississippi
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Jackson | $48,000 | 340 | |
| Gulfport | $56,000 | 110 | |
| Hattiesburg | $52,000 | 110 | |
| Pascagoula | $52,000 | 70 | |
Missouri
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| St Louis | $61,000 | 1,370 | |
| Kansas City | $71,000 | 1,250 | |
| Springfield | $57,000 | 250 | |
| Joplin | $57,000 | 110 | |
| Columbia | $62,000 | 80 | |
| St Joseph | $57,000 | 40 | |
Montana
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Billings | $65,000 | 160 | |
| Missoula | $63,000 | 110 | |
| Great Falls | $65,000 | 30 | |
Nebraska
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Omaha | $68,000 | 340 | |
| Lincoln | $66,000 | 210 | |
Nevada
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Las Vegas | $72,000 | 890 | |
| Reno | $77,000 | 280 | |
New Hampshire
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Nashua | $75,000 | 270 | |
| Manchester | $73,000 | 270 | |
| Rochester | $78,000 | 110 | |
| Portsmouth | $67,000 | 100 | |
New Jersey
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Edison | $70,000 | 1,470 | |
| Newark | $79,000 | 1,040 | |
| Camden | $74,000 | 570 | |
| Trenton | $69,000 | 210 | |
| Atlantic City | $71,000 | 150 | |
| Ocean City | $74,000 | 90 | |
| Vineland | $62,000 | 60 | |
New Mexico
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Albuquerque | $75,000 | 450 | |
| Santa Fe | $81,000 | 70 | |
| Farmington | $61,000 | 30 | |
New York
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| New York | $75,000 | 5,020 | |
| Nassau | $69,000 | 1,930 | |
| Rochester | $57,000 | 950 | |
| Buffalo | $52,000 | 810 | |
| Albany | $60,000 | 660 | |
| Syracuse | $56,000 | 500 | |
| Poughkeepsie | $68,000 | 380 | |
| Binghamton | $50,000 | 210 | |
| Utica | $60,000 | 190 | |
| Kingston | $67,000 | 120 | |
| Glens Falls | $64,000 | 80 | |
| Elmira | $51,000 | 60 | |
| Ithaca | $57,000 | 40 | |
North Carolina
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Charlotte | $66,000 | 1,000 | |
| Raleigh | $64,000 | 770 | |
| Greensboro | $56,000 | 490 | |
| Durham | $64,000 | 360 | |
| Winston Salem | $67,000 | 340 | |
| Asheville | $55,000 | 280 | |
| Wilmington | $66,000 | 230 | |
| Fayetteville | $55,000 | 180 | |
| Rocky Mount | $56,000 | 110 | |
| Jacksonville | $60,000 | 100 | |
| Greenville | $65,000 | 80 | |
| Goldsboro | $63,000 | 60 | |
North Dakota
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Fargo | $58,000 | 250 | |
| Bismarck | $57,000 | 100 | |
| Grand Forks | $50,000 | 60 | |
Ohio
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Cleveland | $61,000 | 1,420 | |
| Cincinnati | $65,000 | 1,410 | |
| Columbus | $69,000 | 1,180 | |
| Toledo | $56,000 | 560 | |
| Dayton | $59,000 | 450 | |
| Akron | $62,000 | 390 | |
| Youngstown | $53,000 | 350 | |
| Canton | $59,000 | 160 | |
| Lima | $54,000 | 90 | |
| Mansfield | $64,000 | 80 | |
| Springfield | $63,000 | 50 | |
| Sandusky | $60,000 | 50 | |
Oklahoma
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Oklahoma City | $57,000 | 660 | |
| Tulsa | $65,000 | 450 | |
| Lawton | $57,000 | 40 | |
Oregon
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Portland | $78,000 | 2,120 | |
| Eugene | $74,000 | 320 | |
| Salem | $75,000 | 240 | |
| Medford | $74,000 | 160 | |
| Corvallis | $75,000 | 100 | |
Pennsylvania
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Philadelphia | $63,000 | 2,540 | |
| Pittsburgh | $52,000 | 1,680 | |
| Allentown | $55,000 | 510 | |
| Lancaster | $55,000 | 370 | |
| Scranton | $48,000 | 270 | |
| Harrisburg | $57,000 | 270 | |
| York | $53,000 | 210 | |
| Reading | $61,000 | 200 | |
| Williamsport | $53,000 | 70 | |
| Johnstown | $52,000 | 70 | |
| State College | $50,000 | 70 | |
| Altoona | $51,000 | 60 | |
| Lebanon | $55,000 | 50 | |
Rhode Island
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Providence | $68,000 | 890 | |
South Carolina
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Columbia | $55,000 | 470 | |
| Charleston | $54,000 | 420 | |
| Greenville | $50,000 | 360 | |
| Myrtle Beach | $50,000 | 220 | |
| Spartanburg | $52,000 | 170 | |
| Anderson | $55,000 | 160 | |
| Florence | $51,000 | 110 | |
| Sumter | $49,000 | 60 | |
South Dakota
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Sioux Falls | $63,000 | 200 | |
Tennessee
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Nashville | $53,000 | 720 | |
| Memphis | $54,000 | 670 | |
| Knoxville | $58,000 | 460 | |
| Chattanooga | $57,000 | 330 | |
| Kingsport | $55,000 | 200 | |
| Johnson City | $61,000 | 130 | |
| Clarksville | $60,000 | 110 | |
| Cleveland | $52,000 | 60 | |
Texas
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Houston | $68,000 | 2,370 | |
| Dallas | $70,000 | 2,200 | |
| San Antonio | $64,000 | 920 | |
| Fort Worth | $73,000 | 810 | |
| Austin | $73,000 | 760 | |
| Beaumont | $61,000 | 230 | |
| Corpus Christi | $55,000 | 180 | |
| El Paso | $51,000 | 170 | |
| Longview | | 130 | |
| Tyler | $56,000 | 120 | |
| Killeen | $73,000 | 110 | |
| Mcallen | $56,000 | 110 | |
| Brownsville | $60,000 | 100 | |
| Waco | $63,000 | 80 | |
| Texarkana | $51,000 | 80 | |
| College Station | $67,000 | 80 | |
| Wichita Falls | $58,000 | 70 | |
| Amarillo | $51,000 | 70 | |
| Odessa | $57,000 | 70 | |
| Victoria | $55,000 | 70 | |
| Abilene | $67,000 | 60 | |
| Midland | $70,000 | 60 | |
Utah
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Salt Lake City | $65,000 | 710 | |
| Provo | $66,000 | 390 | |
Vermont
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Burlington | $58,000 | 260 | |
Virginia
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Richmond | $67,000 | 690 | |
| Virginia Beach | $69,000 | 650 | |
| Roanoke | $62,000 | 230 | |
| Lynchburg | $63,000 | 100 | |
| Blacksburg | $61,000 | 90 | |
| Harrisonburg | $66,000 | 70 | |
| Winchester | $58,000 | 70 | |
| Danville | $62,000 | 50 | |
Washington
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Seattle | $94,000 | 2,400 | |
| Tacoma | $85,000 | 490 | |
| Spokane | $73,000 | 340 | |
| Bremerton | $93,000 | 230 | |
| Olympia | $89,000 | 190 | |
| Yakima | $84,000 | 170 | |
| Bellingham | $88,000 | 170 | |
| Kennewick | $91,000 | 140 | |
| Wenatchee | $91,000 | 90 | |
| Mount Vernon | $86,000 | 80 | |
| Longview | $75,000 | 40 | |
West Virginia
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Charleston | $50,000 | 140 | |
| Huntington | $50,000 | 120 | |
| Wheeling | $45,000 | 110 | |
| Parkersburg | $49,000 | 90 | |
| Weirton | $48,000 | 60 | |
| Morgantown | $52,000 | 60 | |
Wisconsin
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Milwaukee | $60,000 | 1,480 | |
| Madison | $63,000 | 590 | |
| Green Bay | $59,000 | 300 | |
| Appleton | $62,000 | 230 | |
| La Crosse | $59,000 | 170 | |
| Racine | $61,000 | 130 | |
| Eau Claire | $59,000 | 130 | |
| Oshkosh | $56,000 | 120 | |
| Wausau | $57,000 | 110 | |
| Fond | $57,000 | 110 | |
| Sheboygan | $62,000 | 60 | |
Wyoming
| Location | Median Pay | Workers | Popularity |
|---|
| Casper | $56,000 | 70 | |
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