How Much Does a Dental Hygienist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$98,100
Dental hygienists in the U.S. earn a median of $98,100 a year, or $47.16 an hour. Half of dental hygienists earn more than $98,100 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $126,050.
Pay percentiles for dental hygienists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| 50th (median) | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th | $60.60 | $126,050 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 | $65.97 | +40% |
| Alaska | $132,690 | $63.79 | +35% |
| Washington | $131,160 | $63.06 | +34% |
| California | $124,930 | $60.06 | +27% |
| Oregon | $122,080 | $58.69 | +24% |
| Nevada | $115,290 | $55.43 | +18% |
| Colorado | $109,580 | $52.68 | +12% |
| Maryland | $107,830 | $51.84 | +10% |
| New Jersey | $107,040 | $51.46 | +9% |
| New York | $106,130 | $51.03 | +8% |
| United States | $98,100 | $47.16 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many dental hygienists are there?
BLS counts about 222,740 dental hygienists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (24,500), Texas (16,380) and New York (13,660).
The mean (average) annual wage is $98,990, higher than the median of $98,100.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $8,175
- Biweekly
- $3,773
- Weekly
- $1,887
- Daily (8 hours)
- $377
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do dental hygienists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for dental hygienists is $47.16. The middle 50% earn between $40.18 and $52.16 an hour.
Which state pays dental hygienists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for dental hygienists at $137,220, +40% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for dental hygienists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of dental hygienists earn less than $74,880 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.