The average nominal wage for dental hygienists has increased from $18.40 in 1990 to $47.80 in 2024, according to data from the American Dental Association.
The ADA’s Health Policy Institute collected compensation data for both full-time and part-time dental hygienists from 1990, 2000, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2019 and 2024.
Part-time dental hygienists historically earned slightly more per hour than full-time hygienists.
Over the past 35 years, the average hourly wage for hygienists has more than doubled.
Here is the average nominal hourly wage for dental hygienists since 1990:
Source: How dental hygienists’ compensation has changed since 1990 / Becker’s Dental