Dental Hygienists general responsibilities include cleaning teeth to remove stains and plaque from teeth, apply sealants and fluorides, administer dental x-rays, maintain patient treatment plans, as well as, educate patients on proper oral hygiene.
It is important to note that this is a general description and your actual duties may differ for each specific position.
How Much Does a Dental Hygienist Make?
When comparing salaries requiring a four year college degree or less; you will be hard pressed to find a profession that offers a more lucrative salary in the Medical field.
Salaries do range based on job specifics, experience, and educational requirements; however, we will go into that more later.
Referencing the Occupational Outlook Handbook; the median pay for a Dental Hygienist was $68,250.00 for 2010. Although this is a couple years outdated; fluctuations in pay over the last couple years have been minimal. The employment outlook is expected to grow 38% over the next 10 years, thus significantly outpacing the national average.
Here are some Statistics from www.bls.gov
2010 Median Pay – $68,250 or $32.81 per hour
Entry Level Education Level – Associates Degree
Number of Jobs in 2010 – 181,000
Job Outlook 2010-2021 – 38%
Overall the range varies between $45,000 and $93.820. One distinct attribute to a career in dental hygiene is that this position has varying hours; with over half of employed hygienists only work part time.
How to Make the Most as a Dental Hygienist?
Certain states do pay more than others, for example Alaska reportedly pays the most out of any state; with an annual salary just hovering over $100,000.00. Michigan statically has been one of the worst paying states for a dental hygienist.
Most Dental Hygienists will work out of a local dentist office; however, with some experience some will find that their careers are more lucrative working for an oral surgeon or in a hospital. Generally these places average salaries close to six figures. However, demand is high for these positions and only the most qualified will be chosen.
Dental Hygienists – More than Just a Great Salary
Dental Hygienist careers do offer great salaries; however, there are additional benefits to this career that may often be over looked. Dental Hygienists typically will have flexible hours; this is a benefit for mothers who are trying to balance a family. Other benefits include a great benefit package, with paid holidays, paid time off, personal and sick time, 401k, pensions, and great health and dental insurance packages.
Eirfan's 1st Dental Hygienist Treatment
The US Dental Hygienist Salaries by State:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
New Jersey
Ohio
Rhode Island
Texas
Utah
Washington
Washington DC
West Virginia
Wyoming