Dental Hygienists

Wages & Outlook

Wages

Hygienists may be paid by the client, day, or by the hour. Many hygienists work part time and some are paid a combination of salary and commission.

Hygienists' wages also depend on the hours they work and their responsibilities. Their level of education and the area of the country where they work also affect their wages.

Benefits vary by employer. Full-time hygienists may receive paid vacation, sick days, and health insurance. Part-time hygienists generally are paid a wage, but do not receive benefits.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

Dental Hygienists

Employment

In Minnesota, about 3,460 dental hygienists work in this medium-sized occupation.

The majority of dental hygienists work in private dental offices.

Outlook

As the population grows, the demand for dental services will increase. Dentists are expected to hire hygienists to do tasks that they once did. For example, hygienists will perform preventive dental care, such as cleaning. As a result, one dentist may now employ several hygienists.

Job prospects for dental hygienists should be good. Besides growth in the occupation, many more job openings will arise from the need to replace dental hygienists who leave the field. However, competition for jobs may be strong in areas with large numbers of dental hygiene programs. This is because graduates are only allowed to work in the state in which they are licensed.

Employment Outlook for Dental Hygienists
	Employment		Employment Change
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
U S	181,800	250,300	68,500	37.7%
Minnesota	4,156	5,188	1,032	24.8%
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
Central Minnesota	416	542	126	30.3%
Northeast Minnesota	242	283	41	16.9%
Northwest Minnesota	345	429	84	24.3%
Southeast Minnesota	337	424	87	25.8%
Southwest Minnesota	248	306	58	23.4%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	2,565	3,203	638	24.9%