---
title: "Dental Hygienist: School, License and Salary"
description: "How to become a dental hygienist: accredited associate programs, licensing exams, daily work, and May 2025 BLS median pay and outlook."
url: https://careerdirecting.com/careers/dental-hygienist/
updated: 2026-10-09
site: CareerDirecting
---

Healthcare · Dental hygiene

# Dental hygienist One of the best-paid two-year careers.

Healthcare career profile

Dental hygienists clean teeth, take X-rays and teach patients how to keep their mouths healthy. The training is demanding, but it leads to regular hours and one of the highest medians among jobs without a bachelor's degree.

In short

Dental hygienists usually need an associate degree from a CODA-accredited program and a state license, which means passing a national written exam and a clinical exam. The May 2025 median pay was $98,100, among the highest for two-year degrees, and BLS projects 8% growth through 2035.

**Job numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics** Updated October 9, 2026. Pay figures are national medians and are not a promise of what you will earn.

| Median pay | $98,100 a year, about $47.16 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Typical way in | Associate degree |
| Jobs in the U.S. | About 225,300 (2025) |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | Projected growth of 8% |
| Openings each year | About 15,000 on average, including replacements |
| Licensing | Required in every state |
| Where they work | Dental offices, many part time |

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025 to 2035 and May 2025 wages, [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm). National figures; pay where you live can be higher or lower, and starting pay is lower than the median.

## A day as a hygienist

You see a patient roughly every hour: review health history, clean and polish teeth, take X-rays, check gums and explain home care. It is precise, repetitive work in a small space, and you build relationships with patients who come back twice a year.

## Getting into a program

Programs are competitive. Expect prerequisites like anatomy, microbiology and chemistry, and sometimes a waitlist. Working as a [dental assistant](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/dental-assistant/) first helps many applicants.

## Questions people ask

### How long does it take to become a dental hygienist?

Usually about three years including prerequisites and the associate program.

### Is dental hygiene a good career?

It pays very well for a two-year degree and offers regular hours.

### Do hygienists work part time?

Many do, often across more than one office.

## Sources

- [BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035, Table 1.2 (occupational projections and worker characteristics)](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm)
- [BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dental hygienists](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm)

## Where to go next

- [Dental assistant vs hygienist](https://careerdirecting.com/compare/dental-assistant-vs-dental-hygienist/)
- [Dental assistant](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/dental-assistant/)
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