Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Dental hygienists typically need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene. Programs usually take 3 years to complete. All states require dental hygienists to be licensed; requirements vary by state. PayThe median annual wage for dental hygienists was $98,100 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 15,000 openings for dental hygienists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dental hygienists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental hygienists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about dental hygienists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $98,100 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 15,000 openings for dental hygienists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dental hygienists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental hygienists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about dental hygienists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 15,000 openings for dental hygienists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dental hygienists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental hygienists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about dental hygienists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene.
Work Environment
Nearly all dental hygienists work in dentists’ offices, and many work part time.
How to Become a Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists typically need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene. Programs usually take 3 years to complete. All states require dental hygienists to be licensed; requirements vary by state.
Pay
The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $98,100 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 15,000 openings for dental hygienists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dental hygienists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental hygienists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about dental hygienists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Nearly all dental hygienists work in dentists’ offices, and many work part time.
How to Become a Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists typically need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene. Programs usually take 3 years to complete. All states require dental hygienists to be licensed; requirements vary by state.
Pay
The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $98,100 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 15,000 openings for dental hygienists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dental hygienists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental hygienists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about dental hygienists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dental hygienists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental hygienists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about dental hygienists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about dental hygienists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.