Whether you’re finishing high school or looking for a career change, dental hygiene offers an exciting path where you can make a real difference in people’s lives while enjoying great benefits.
Earn an Excellent Salary
You can start earning a great salary right away. The median pay is $87,530 per year ($42.08 per hour), and top performers earn over $118,400. That’s impressive for a career that can begin with only 2-3 years of post high-school studies.
Choose Your Own Schedule
Want work-life balance? As a dental hygienist, you can:
- Work part-time or full-time
- Pick up shifts at multiple offices
- Find evening or weekend hours
- Create a schedule that fits your lifestyle
Enter a Growing Field
The future is bright! The field is growing 11% faster than average, with over 15,600 new jobs expected by 2030. More people are understanding the importance of oral health, which means more opportunities for you.
Make a Real Difference
You’ll do more than scale and polish teeth. As a dental hygienist, you’ll:
- Help prevent serious health conditions
- Build relationships with patients and ease their dental anxiety
- Educate people about better oral health
- Make a direct impact on your community’s health
Choose Your Path
In addition to private dental offices, you can work in:
- Community health clinics
- Hospitals
- Corporate settings
- Public health programs
- Education and research
And so much more! Explore the roles of a dental hygienist further here.
Ready for the Next Step?
Download our handy checklist of helpful next steps for exploring a career in dental hygiene – including how you can connect with a mentor to help you through the process!
GET THE RDH READY CHECKLIST!
