| State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 | $65.97 | 320 |
| Alaska | $132,690 | $63.79 | 790 |
| Washington | $131,160 | $63.06 | 6,330 |
| California | $124,930 | $60.06 | 24,500 |
| Oregon | $122,080 | $58.69 | 3,600 |
| Nevada | $115,290 | $55.43 | 1,510 |
| Colorado | $109,580 | $52.68 | 4,270 |
| Maryland | $107,830 | $51.84 | 3,500 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 | $51.46 | 7,230 |
| New York | $106,130 | $51.03 | 13,660 |
| Minnesota | $103,970 | $49.99 | 4,110 |
| Virginia | $102,950 | $49.50 | 3,770 |
| New Hampshire | $101,250 | $48.68 | 1,360 |
| Arizona | $101,010 | $48.56 | 4,530 |
| Connecticut | $100,690 | $48.41 | 3,240 |
| Massachusetts | $100,640 | $48.39 | 6,850 |
| Texas | $99,240 | $47.71 | 16,380 |
| Delaware | $98,910 | $47.55 | 750 |
| Montana | $98,440 | $47.33 | 860 |
| North Carolina | $97,850 | $47.04 | 6,690 |
| Maine | $97,680 | $46.96 | 1,060 |
| Oklahoma | $97,580 | $46.91 | 2,860 |
| Hawaii | $97,570 | $46.91 | 830 |
| Vermont | $97,470 | $46.86 | 560 |
| Illinois | $96,670 | $46.48 | 8,970 |
| Wisconsin | $96,540 | $46.41 | 5,080 |
| New Mexico | $95,940 | $46.12 | 1,420 |
| Georgia | $95,490 | $45.91 | 7,440 |
| Idaho | $94,650 | $45.51 | 2,060 |
| Missouri | $92,750 | $44.59 | 3,810 |
| Nebraska | $92,580 | $44.51 | 1,280 |
| Indiana | $92,330 | $44.39 | 5,020 |
| South Dakota | $92,210 | $44.33 | 630 |
| Florida | $91,980 | $44.22 | 11,980 |
| Utah | $91,120 | $43.81 | 3,780 |
| North Dakota | $90,530 | $43.53 | 660 |
| Ohio | $88,990 | $42.78 | 8,630 |
| Rhode Island | $86,910 | $41.78 | 770 |
| Arkansas | $86,760 | $41.71 | 1,740 |
| Louisiana | $85,240 | $40.98 | 2,690 |
| Wyoming | $85,130 | $40.93 | 500 |
| Tennessee | $84,640 | $40.69 | 4,570 |
| South Carolina | $84,340 | $40.55 | 3,160 |
| Iowa | $84,010 | $40.39 | 2,440 |
| Michigan | $83,790 | $40.28 | 8,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,610 | $38.76 | 7,970 |
| Kentucky | $78,830 | $37.90 | 2,070 |
| West Virginia | $73,840 | $35.50 | 1,250 |
| Mississippi | $67,280 | $32.35 | 1,140 |
| Alabama | $61,160 | $29.41 | 3,170 |
— = estimate missing or suppressed by BLS; # = suppressed for insufficient reporting units; * = estimate not comparable.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $74,880 | $36.00 |
| 25th | $83,570 | $40.18 |
| 50th (median) | $98,100 | $47.16 |
| 75th | $108,480 | $52.16 |
| 90th | $126,050 | $60.60 |
— = estimate missing or suppressed by BLS; # = suppressed for insufficient reporting units; * = estimate not comparable.
Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene. They also educate patients about oral health.
Dental hygienists typically do the following: remove tartar, stains, and plaque from teeth; apply sealants and fluorides to help protect teeth; take and develop dental x rays; assess patients' oral health and report findings to dentists; document patient care and treatment plans; and educate patients about oral hygiene techniques, such as how to brush and floss correctly.
Dental hygienists use many types of tools—including hand, power, and ultrasonic tools—in their work. In some cases, they use lasers. Hygienists remove stains with an air-polishing device, which sprays a combination of air, water, and baking soda. They polish teeth with a power tool that works like an automatic toothbrush. Hygienists also use x-ray machines to take pictures to check for tooth or jaw problems. Dental hygienists talk to patients about ways to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2025 release. A wage shown as $239,200 or More means the estimate falls in BLS's highest, open-ended wage interval and is a lower bound, not a maximum. In tables, — means the estimate is missing or suppressed by BLS; # means suppressed because of insufficient reporting units; * means the estimate is not comparable.
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