Dental Hygienists
Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.
Median salary
$98,100/yr
Typical range
$83,570 – $108,480
Education
Associate degree
Time to entry
About 2 years
What a Dental Hygienists does
Dental hygienists clean teeth, take X-rays, and educate patients about oral health under a dentist's supervision. They help prevent tooth decay and gum disease while working directly with patients in dental offices.
Education & path
The typical entry point is a associate degree. About 2 years.
Estimated cost of that path: ~$7,500. Estimated payback: ~1 year. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.
Related careers
- Clinical Nurse Specialists — $97,550/yr
- Acute Care Nurses — $97,550/yr
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses — $97,550/yr
- Critical Care Nurses — $97,550/yr
- Registered Nurses — $97,550/yr
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