what salary are dental hygienists making in the US?

Answer 1

Do a zip code search at http://www.careerbuilders.com or http://www.monster.com or http://www.payscale.com You can also check with the US Department of Labor at http://www.bls.gov/

My hygienist is now making $42.50 an hour, plus office and hygiene bonus. She has been with me for 13 years and plans to stay the remaining 10 or so years of my career, at which time she will probably be making more than me. (haha)

My daughter is an ICU nurse and she asked me why I didn't tell her that hygienists make so much money. She didn't ask. Actually, she's making about $60 an hour, but she's busting her butt for that. She makes life and death decisions, also.

I have no problem paying my hygienist very well. First of, a hygienist can make or break the practice, as she can attract or chase away patients just as quickly as I can. She contributes immensely to the office productivity. This is in direct production, but even more important than that, she allows ME to be more productive because I am not spending so much time in the "break-even" proposition of doing prophies. My prophy fees are set at the point where I would be just covering overhead if I do them myself so I am providing a service without losing any money.

Answer 2

Where I live, hygienists get paid between about 25-32 dollars per hour. I know this seems like a lot, however, it is truly not worth it from a hygienist's perspective. I believe that we are not paid enough. Here's why:
1. There is no such thing as a full time RDH, your maximum will be 4 days a week (at least around here).
2. You do not get any benefits of any kind (no bonus, no healthcare, no retirement, I mean nada). This is a huge deal. Thus, I get to plan my own retirement, figure out my own healthcare needs, etc. This stinks!
3. Although the hours are decent compared to a nurse, this is not a job you will be able to do until retirement. Your wrists, hands, shoulders, neck, and sometimes back are so shot and sore that you simply will not last that long. It is very strenuous being hunched over people in their mouths all day long. Hello carpal tunnel.
4. Generally, patients are scared of us. Nobody likes getting their teeth cleaned or shots in their mouths. We are not liked.
5. Finally, did I mention what the hell am I going to do 10 more years from now? Um, well, let's see, my body is shot, I am older, and I have no benefits set up for myself.

I don't mean to sound so negative, but I am just being honest. I would have picked a different career, if I could do it over again. Good luck.

Answer 3

that isn't an instantaneous answer, yet provide you some data first of all: Median hourly earnings of dental hygienists have been $26.fifty 9 in 2002. the midsection 50 % earned between $21.ninety six and $32.40 8 an hour. the backside 10 % earned under $17.34, and the optimal 10 % earned greater desirable than $39.24 an hour. earnings variety via geographic area, employment putting, and years of adventure. Dental hygienists may be paid on an hourly, on a regular basis, income, or cost foundation

Answer 4

It really depends on the location of the office, but hygienists make an average of between $30-$40 per hour. Some hygienists are also paid by commission to motivate them to work harder/faster and see more patients.

Answer 5

I think hygienests deserve every bit of what they make.
I'm an assistant. I work hard. I should be paid more.
I went to school for 10 months to be an assistant. And I didn't even have to do that.
Hygienests go thru a very difficult cirriculum in COLLEGE. They should be compensated for that. They have to be able to work (virtually) on their own and make decisions about patient care.
The last hygienest I worked with did have carpel tunnel surgery on one hand and needs it on the other. She visits a chiropractor regularly. She gets paid from commision. If the patient doesn't show for their appointment, she gets nothing. Some days she sees only 3 or 4 patients out of 15 scheduled.
Merry Christmas!

Answer 6

In my opinion, dental hygienists make too much money. I was a dental assistant for 10 years and I know how most dental hygienist get paid too much for the job they are doing. I think we should pay our nurses much more than dental hygienist. It is ashame that dental hygienist make more money than nurses who work so hard, and plus the hours they work.

Answer 7

It depends where you work, and what type of dental hygentist degree you have. 2 year or 4 year. Most dental hygentists start out around 27-30 an hour. They usually peak out most of the time at 50 dollars an hour. Some work on commission, and just pay the dentist to have chair in his office. Then it just depends on how many patients you see.

Answer 8

wow u can make a fortune

Answer 9

Too much.