Average Dental Hygienist Salary In Major Cities

 Among the many reasons why people are studying to become a dental hygienist is the high average dental hygienist salary and generous compensation. The dental hygienist career is among the hottest jobs in the medical field. The demand for this job is said to remain steady until the year 2018.

To become a dental hygienist, one only needs two years of associate course, undergo practical training, and pass the written and clinical examinations. Others choose to finish an entire 4-year dental hygienist course leading to a bachelor’s degree. Graduating from a bachelor’s degree actually increases the chances of landing a job in a reputable clinic or private institution. One can also get a job in a public health setting. There is also a likelihood of getting a higher average dental hygienist salary due to this added qualification.

The average dental hygienist salary will depend largely on a person’s qualifications and the work’s location. Generally, the closer the dental clinic is to major cities, the higher the average dental hygienist salary. The reason for this may be due to the higher cost of living in cities.

States that pay the highest average dental hygienist salary

According to the US Bureau Of Labor Statistics website, there are five major states that pays the highest when it comes to this career. These states are California, Alaska, Washington, Nevada and District of Columbia. The annual mean wage as of May 2010 is as follows: Alaska ($90,740), California ($90,220), Washington ($87,810), District of Columbia ($86,320), and Nevada ($83,930).

These numbers are not fixed and may also depend on the employer, working contract, and employment package. Most dental hygienists who work in these areas are pretty much well compensated for their hard work. Dental hygienists living in the area or choose to work in these area must be ready to face some tough competition. States with high paying average dental hygienist salary also means that the employment screening can be rigorous and competition can be stiff.

How to check for the average dental hygienist salary per state or city

If wondering about the average dental hygienist salary in a particular location, the fastest and easiest way to find out is to search through the internet. There are numerous websites that mention the average salaries of dental hygienists in the US and other parts of the world. Just find a legitimate site and check if the statistics are recent. Some websites do not update their information so it is important to find a site or article that states the year when the salary stats were generated. In the US, a reliable site to check would be a government site such as the Bureau Of Labor Statistics website. It contains comprehensive information not just about salaries per state but also the rate of employment. Knowing such information can help one decide on which state or city to start applying for a dental hygienist position after passing the board examinations. Some states may require an additional examination before one can start practicing as dental hygienist.