Dental hygienists are incredibly important to the health and well-being of patients. Yet their impact is often understated or overlooked. For example, did you know that good dental hygiene has the power to reduce a person’s risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer? Or that dental hygienists single-handedly help to prevent dangerous bacteria that can cause pneumonia and tooth decay? Dental hygienists do more than just make their patients smile; they protect various aspects of a person’s overall health.

Because of this, dental hygiene is an extremely rewarding career. Dental hygienists enjoy impactful, meaningful work, often on flexible schedules. On top of this, the field is also financially rewarding, with the average dental hygienist salary ranging between $65,000 and $120,000 annually.*

If you are considering a career as a dental hygienist, it’s important to ask questions about your future stability and success. For example: How much does a dental hygienist make? What is the potential for career and salary growth in the dental hygiene field? Will I be happy in this profession?

To get you started, we’ve answered these questions and more below. Learn about the rising dental hygiene salary potential, and how you can secure a successful career in this field.

Are dental hygienists happy in their jobs?

According to U.S. News, dental hygienists are ranked among the top 10 best health care jobs in America, and among the top 30 best jobs of all occupations in 2025. These rankings are largely a result of the job satisfaction that comes with being a dental hygienist.

As previously mentioned, dental hygienists enjoy meaningful and rewarding work. They make a difference in the lives of their patients, ensuring that their oral health is maintained and prioritized. Additionally, dental hygienists can earn a high salary, sometimes surpassing six figures, without investing a significant amount of time in school. In fact, dental hygiene is one of the few healthcare professions where you can practice with an associate degree in hand, taking roughly two or three years of school to complete. So, the return on the educational investment is typically very high.

The dental hygienist salary is just one of the many benefits of this role. As suggested by U.S. News, the primary perk of becoming a dental hygienist is the ability to grow. Upward mobility is high for dental hygienists, meaning they often encounter opportunities for career advancement and salary bumps.

What is it like to be a dental hygienist?

No day is the same for a dental hygienist, which is perhaps another benefit of this career path. Dental hygienists help patients from all walks of life, from children to elderly folks. On most days, they can be found conducting preventive teeth cleanings for patients. However, dental hygienists also can:

• Assess patients’ oral health for concerns or abnormalities
• Assist with dental procedures, such as fillings
• Administer special treatments, including fluoride or topical anesthesia
• Document patient care, records, and treatment plans
• Educate patients about proper and preventive oral health practices
• Perform and process x-rays

Due to the broad scope of responsibilities, dental hygienists must be well-trained and proficient in their technique. The best dental hygienists have incredible dexterity, are detail-oriented, have empathy for all types of patients, and can communicate with many types of people. These dental hygienists, who have studied hard and honed their skills through a training program, will also be positioned for the highest salary potential, promotions, and benefits on the job.

Ready to reach new heights? Check out our free guide to becoming a dental hygienist.

How much do dental hygienists make?

The average annual salary for dental hygienists is currently $89,890 in the United States. This translates to roughly $43.21 per hour.*

Of course, dental hygiene salaries can vary significantly, depending on your workplace, the state you practice in, and how much experience you have. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the lowest salary for dental hygienists will typically fall around $65,000 per year, while the top percentile of dental hygienists will earn over $118,000 annually.

What are the highest-paying job options for dental hygienists?

The BLS reports that the top-paying industries or places of work for dental hygienists are:

• Employment services: $95,650 per year on average
• Outpatient care centers: $90,310 per year on average
• Dentists’ offices: $90,160 per year on average

What are the highest-paying states for dental hygienists today?

Among the 50 U.S. states today, the top-paying states for dental hygienists currently include:

1. Washington
2. California
3. Alaska
4. Oregon
5. Colorado
6. Maryland
7. Delaware
8. Massachusetts
9. New Jersey
10. Connecticut

How much do dental hygienists make in Connecticut?

On average in Connecticut, dental hygienists earn $94,220 per year. Excluding the District of Columbia, Connecticut is ranked the 10th highest-paying state for dental hygienists today.*

Are dental hygienists in demand?

On top of a strong salary potential, dental hygienists are in high demand. In fact, careers for dental hygienists are expected to grow at a faster rate than average, with roughly 16,400 job openings expected each year between 2023 and 2033. Over the decade, dental hygiene employment is projected to increase by 9%, more than double the rate of all occupations, on average.

Alongside employment growth, it’s worth noting that dental hygienist salaries have also grown exponentially over the years. U.S. News reports consecutive growth in salary numbers over the last decade, with more than a $10,000 increase in annual earnings over the last 10 years.

How to start a career (and start earning) as a dental hygienist

Dental hygienists are highly skilled professionals who can impact the lives of patients. As such, dental hygienists must receive proper training and education prior to landing a job. However, the stretch of schooling required for dental hygienists is relatively short, in comparison to other healthcare paths.

In most states, dental hygienists must receive an associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a college or university that’s accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Associate degree programs typically take between two and three years to complete, requiring a combination of classroom, clinical, and laboratory experiences prior to graduation. At Goodwin University, future dental hygienists also gain practical experience in the state-of-the-art dental lab and free dental clinic, caring for actual patients in the local community.

After completing a dental hygiene degree program, prospective hygienists must also earn their license to practice. Licensure is typically granted through examination, but specific requirements vary by state.

How to become a dental hygienist in Connecticut

In Connecticut, aspiring dental hygienists must complete a CODA-accredited program and earn their associate degree in Dental Hygiene. Following this, they must complete a series of exams to secure their license to practice in the state:

1. The National Board Dental Hygiene (NBDH) examination
2. A clinical performance evaluation, which can be administered by:

• The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments
• Council of Interstate Testing Agencies
• Southern Regional Testing Agency
• Central Regional Dental Testing Service
• Western Regional Examining Board

Upon getting licensed, the remaining steps to becoming a dental hygienist are straightforward. Candidates must submit a dental hygiene licensure application inclusive of degree transcripts, an official report of national board scores, and any applicable application fee.

Follow these steps and you’ll be well on your way to a high-paying dental hygiene career in no time.

Launch a successful dental hygiene career with Goodwin

Goodwin University is a highly recognized dental hygiene school in Connecticut, with an accessible and career-focused curriculum at the heart of our program. Students prepare to become the best possible dental hygienists they can be, through a range of clinical, classroom, and laboratory experiences. For example, as a student, you can work directly with patients in our on-campus dental clinic, putting your learned skills into practice while helping populations in need.

On top of this, our program prioritizes flexibility. Our mission is to help you reach your goals, which is why our dental hygiene program offers on-campus, online, daytime, evening, and weekend classes.

Learn more about our dental hygiene program here!

The dental hygienist salary: a recap

Dental hygiene is an in-demand career with job stability and an excellent salary, well above the average of all occupations in the U.S. With several career settings to choose from, dental hygienists can work in dental offices, orthodontist offices, schools, nursing homes, or be hired by the government to provide preventative care. Dental hygienists are characteristically considerate and people-oriented specialists with abundant career advancement opportunities.

The return on investment for an associate degree in Dental Hygiene is substantial and sustaining. And salary is just one side of the coin—the benefits are promising, too. In addition to the rewards of a possible 401(k), paid time off, paid sick time, dental, disability, and health, life, and vision insurance, other perks for dental hygienists include potential tuition reimbursement, professional development assistance, and continuing education credits.

Count on a compassionate career in dental hygiene for countless reasons to make you smile.

Are you interested in earning your associate degree in Dental Hygiene at Goodwin? Request more information here!

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291292.htm#st