Dental Hygienist
State-by-state licensing requirements, salary data, and career ROI
What Is a Dental Hygienist?
Dental Hygienists clean teeth, take X-rays, apply sealants and fluoride, screen for oral diseases, and educate patients on oral health. They work in dental offices, clinics, and public health settings. Becoming a dental hygienist requires completing an accredited associate's or bachelor's degree program (typically 2–3 years) and passing both the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a state or regional clinical licensing exam.
The Landscape
Beyond salary, licensing requirements vary considerably, impacting ease of entry and professional mobility. While all 51 states require licensure, the specific hurdles differ, from jurisprudence exams mandated in states like Colorado and Michigan to unique CE requirements like AIDS education in Washington or child abuse training in Pennsylvania. Almost every state requires CPR certification, but the total CE hours can range from 6 annually in North Carolina to 45 over three years in Arizona and New Mexico, demanding different levels of ongoing commitment.
Dental Hygienist by State
Click any state for detailed requirements, salary percentiles, and ROI analysis.
| State | License Required | Median Salary | vs. National | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | $59,840 | -36.5% | 2-4 years |
| Alaska | Yes | $129,760 | +37.7% | 2 years (education) + 4-6 weeks (application processing) |
| Arizona | Yes | $97,530 | +3.5% | 2-4 years |
| Arkansas | Yes | $83,760 | -11.1% | 2-4 years |
| California | Yes | $121,080 | +28.5% | 30-90 days for application processing |
| Colorado | Yes | $106,730 | +13.2% | 2-4 years |
| Connecticut | Yes | $96,270 | +2.1% | 2-4 years |
| Delaware | Yes | $99,720 | +5.8% | 2-4 years |
| District of Columbia | Yes | $127,900 | +35.7% | 2-4 years |
| Florida | Yes | $81,090 | -14.0% | 2 years (education) + application processing time |
| Georgia | Yes | $83,500 | -11.4% | 2-4 years (including education and licensure process) |
| Hawaii | Yes | $96,770 | +2.7% | 2-4 years |
| Idaho | Yes | $84,990 | -9.8% | 2-4 years |
| Illinois | Yes | $96,490 | +2.4% | 2 years |
| Indiana | Yes | $90,290 | -4.2% | 2 years |
| Iowa | Yes | $82,770 | -12.2% | 2-3 years for education, 3-6 months for licensure process |
| Kansas | Yes | $82,060 | -12.9% | 2-3 years (education) + 2-4 months (licensing) |
| Kentucky | Yes | $77,440 | -17.8% | 2-4 years |
| Louisiana | Yes | $80,900 | -14.2% | 2-4 years |
| Maine | Yes | $88,700 | -5.9% | 2-4 years |
| Maryland | Yes | $105,140 | +11.5% | 2-4 years (Associate's to Bachelor's) |
| Massachusetts | Yes | $100,790 | +6.9% | 2-4 years |
| Michigan | Yes | $80,990 | -14.1% | 2-4 years |
| Minnesota | Yes | $98,970 | +5.0% | 2-4 years |
| Mississippi | Yes | $66,290 | -29.7% | 2-4 years |
| Missouri | Yes | $83,270 | -11.7% | 2-3 years for education, plus application processing time |
| Montana | Yes | $94,740 | +0.5% | 2-4 years |
| Nebraska | Yes | $84,400 | -10.5% | 2-4 years (education) + exam and application processing time |
| Nevada | Yes | $103,160 | +9.4% | 2-4 years |
| New Hampshire | Yes | $96,740 | +2.6% | 2-4 years (education) + application processing time |
| New Jersey | Yes | $102,600 | +8.8% | Varies (2-4 years for education, plus application processing time) |
| New Mexico | Yes | $96,410 | +2.3% | 2-4 years |
| New York | Yes | $95,560 | +1.4% | 2-4 years |
| North Carolina | Yes | $89,720 | -4.8% | 2-4 years |
| North Dakota | Yes | $83,010 | -11.9% | 2-4 years |
| Ohio | Yes | $81,620 | -13.4% | 2-4 years (Associate degree typically 2-3 years, plus prerequisites) |
| Oklahoma | Yes | $95,860 | +1.7% | 2-4 years |
| Oregon | Yes | $118,280 | +25.5% | 2-4 years |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | $81,510 | -13.5% | 2-4 years |
| Rhode Island | Yes | $82,870 | -12.1% | 2-4 years |
| South Carolina | Yes | $81,710 | -13.3% | 2-4 years |
| South Dakota | Yes | $84,300 | -10.6% | 2-4 years |
| Tennessee | Yes | $81,810 | -13.2% | 2-4 years |
| Texas | Yes | $94,490 | +0.2% | 3-6 years |
| Utah | Yes | $82,610 | -12.4% | 3-5 years |
| Vermont | Yes | $99,490 | +5.5% | 3-5 years (including education) |
| Virginia | Yes | $98,880 | +4.9% | 2-4 years |
| Washington | Yes | $125,370 | +33.0% | 2-4 years |
| West Virginia | Yes | $72,670 | -22.9% | 2-4 years |
| Wisconsin | Yes | $83,850 | -11.0% | 3-5 years (including education and licensing process) |
| Wyoming | Yes | $82,220 | -12.8% | 2-4 years |
Highest-Paying States for Dental Hygienists
| # | State | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $129,760 | 770 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $127,900 | 330 |
| 3 | Washington | $125,370 | 5,140 |
| 4 | California | $121,080 | 22,940 |
| 5 | Oregon | $118,280 | 3,640 |
| 6 | Colorado | $106,730 | 4,470 |
| 7 | Maryland | $105,140 | 3,780 |
| 8 | Nevada | $103,160 | 2,040 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $102,600 | 6,030 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $100,790 | 6,780 |
Find a Training Program
Compare dental hygienist programs at trade schools across the country — ranked by graduate earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.