A dental hygienist is a dental professional who helps maintain the health of your teeth and gums. They are trained to remove plaque, tartar and stains from teeth, as well as give advice on how to care for your mouth.

Dental hygiene is a great career option for people who want to work in a variety of settings, ranging from private practice to public health clinics, schools and more. The job outlook for dental hygienists is good: the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment will increase by 19 percent between 2014 and 2024.

Because they’re in such high demand, many dental hygienists earn above-average salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for dental hygienists was $71,170 in May 2015 — or about $31.75 per hour. And the top 10 percent earned more than $91,720 each year on average!

Last modified: October 4, 2022