Earnings

The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $70,210 in May 2012.  The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.  The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,540, and the top 10 percent earned more than $96,280.

Some dental hygienists receive benefits, such as vacation, sick leave, and contributions to their retirement fund.  However, benefits vary by employer and may be available only to full-time workers.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition (http://www.bls.gov/oco/)