C
ClearView News

Is a dental hygienist a 2 or 4 year degree?

Author

William Cox

Published Mar 20, 2026

Is a dental hygienist a 2 or 4 year degree?

If you are considering a career as a Registered Dental Hygienist you may be wondering if it really matters if you get a 2 year or 4 year degree. The answer is actually yes and no! It depends what your future career plans are.

In this regard, is dental hygiene a 4 year degree?

A bachelor's degree in dental hygiene is a four-year degree program offered by a university through their dental school. Many schools offer full bachelor's programs for students coming from high school, or degree completion programs for students who already have an associate degree.

One may also ask, how much do dental hygienist make with an associate's degree? Salaries for Dental Hygienist with an Associate's DegreeAccording to our 100% employer reported salary sources the median salary for a Dental Hygienist with an Associate's Degree is $70,399 - $76,255.

Then, is it better to get an associates or bachelors in dental hygiene?

1. More Job Opportunity. A four-year degree in dental hygiene will provide more opportunity than an associate's degree or a career diploma. Besides being in higher demand in private clinics and hospitals, dental hygienists can find a job in working in education helping prepare dental students for the work field.

Do dental hygienists get paid more with a bachelor's?

Dental hygienists with a bachelor's degree in the field don't necessarily earn more than those with an associate degree, particularly in a clinical setting. The factors that most often affect the salaries of dental hygienists are practice setting, experience and geographic location.

What should I major in if I want to be a dental hygienist?

Dental hygienists typically need an associate's degree in dental hygiene. Bachelor's and master's degree programs in dental hygiene also are available, but are less common. A bachelor's or master's degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.

Is becoming a dental hygienist hard?

Everyone who has earned their degree as a dental hygienist made it through school with effort and hard work, and you can too! As the weeks and months go by, you'll find your routine and it will become easier.

How much does a hygienist make per hour?

Hourly Wage for Dental Hygienist Salary in the United States
How much does a Dental Hygienist make hourly in the United States? The average hourly wage for a Dental Hygienist in the United States is $36 as of March 26, 2020, but the range typically falls between $31 and $41.

How much does a dental hygienist make an hour with a bachelor's degree?

According to our 100% employer reported salary sources the median salary for a Dental Hygienist with a Bachelor's Degree is $70,876 - $76,720. Please try our salary wizard to explore how other factors like location, Years of experience and number of direct reports can impact your base pay and bonus.

Where do dental hygienists make the most money?

10 States Where Dental Hygienists Earn the Most Money
RankState2017 Mean Annual Wage
1Alaska$107,190
2California$97,420
3Washington$91,070
4New Mexico$89,740

How much does a dental hygienist make after taxes?

How Much Dental Hygienists Earn in All 50 States
State2017 Mean Annual Wage
Arkansas$68,580
California$97,420
Colorado$81,880
Connecticut$82,260

How much does it cost for dental hygiene school?

According to the American Dental Hygienists' Association, the average estimated total cost (In-State/District) of tuition and fees for: An associate degree is $22,692. A baccalaureate degree is $36,382. A master's degree is $30,421.

How much does a dental hygienist make with a master's degree?

Salaries for Dental Hygienist with a Master's Degree or MBA
Dental Hygienist with the following degreeWill likely fall in this salary range
High School Diploma or Technical Certificate$69,795 - $75,808
Associate's Degree$70,271 - $76,117
Bachelor's Degree$70,747 - $76,582
Master's Degree or MBA$71,541 - $77,357

How far can you advance in dental hygienist?

Becoming a practicing dental hygienist can take less than four years, but career advancement in this field takes much more time, education and focus.

Job Market: Advanced Dental Careers.

Advanced CareerGrowth ProjectionMinimum Educational Requirements
Postsecondary Instructor13 percentMaster's or doctoral degree

Can you get a dental hygienist job with an associate's degree?

While associate's degrees are enough for most dental hygienist positions, some hygienists earn higher degrees as a way to advance their careers. Bachelor's and master's degrees in dental hygiene may qualify hygienists for careers beyond the dental office, such as in teaching and research.

How much do the highest paid dentists make?

The states and districts that pay Dentists the highest mean salary are Delaware ($264,440), Alaska ($259,350), Rhode Island ($254,190), Minnesota ($227,280), and New Hampshire ($226,300). How Much Do Dentists Make in Your City?

Can you major in biology to become a dental hygienist?

Dental hygienists typically need an associate's degree in dental hygiene. High school students interested in becoming dental hygienists should take courses in biology, chemistry, and math. Most dental hygiene programs also require applicants to complete prerequisites, which often include college-level courses.

How do I become a dental hygienist without a degree?

Becoming a dental hygienist typically requires an associate's degree in dental hygiene, although high school students can prepare for the career by taking courses in biology, chemistry and mathematics. Every state requires hygienists to be licensed, so passing written and practical licensing exams is also essential.

Should I become a dental assistant before a hygienist?

I am a dental hygienist and have been one for 10 years and was an assistant before that. Getting an assiting degree first is a good idea but not necessary. The reason I would do assisting first is a few reasons-you can see if you really enjoy the field before you put all the time into it.

How much does a hygienist make a year?

Years of Experience and Salary
The median annual dental hygienist salary, as of May 2017 is $74,070, which means out of all hygienists, half earn less and half earn more. At the low end, the bottom 10 percent of hygienists earn less than $51,180. The upper 10 percent earn over $101,330.

How competitive is dental hygiene school?

As with most allied dental education programs, dental hygiene has a competitive admissions process. It's not uncommon to have a tenth of a percentage point separating you from the next qualified applicant. However, there are things you can do to stand out in the admissions process.

How much do dental assistant make an hour?

The average hourly wage for a Dental Assistant in the United States is $18 as of March 26, 2020, but the range typically falls between $16 and $20.

What is the starting pay for dental hygienist?

Find out what is the average Dental Hygienist salary
Entry level positions start at $54,600 per year while most experienced workers make up to $99,840 per year.

Is dental hygiene a 2 year degree?

2-Year Degree:
You must remember, however, that the dental hygiene program itself is a 2-year program. This does not include the prerequisite courses that are required for admission into the program. For many, there are approximately 4 semesters worth of prerequisite courses.

Do you need a 4 year degree to be a dental hygienist?

Degree Requirements. A bachelor's degree in dental hygiene is a four-year degree program offered by a university through their dental school. Many schools offer full bachelor's programs for students coming from high school, or degree completion programs for students who already have an associate degree.

Do dental hygienists make more than registered nurses?

The vast majority of dental hygienists works in dentist offices and clinics. Therefore, the average pay for office-based hygienists is very close to the overall average for all hygienists. In specialty hospitals, RNs can earn more than a typical hygienist, with average annual pay of $77,290 in 2016.

What can I do with a BS in dental hygiene?

Career options
  • Corporate. Pharmaceutical Sales. Dental Supplies Sales. Dental Office Manager. Corporate Educator.
  • Education. Classroom Instructor. Clinical or Didactic Instructor. Laboratory Instructor.
  • Public Health. Local/State Dental Public Health Officer. Community Clinic Administrator. National Health Service Corps Member.

Is there a master's degree in dental hygiene?

Graduate Programs in Dental Hygiene. Graduate programs are intended for dental hygienists currently holding a dental hygiene license and a Bachelor's degree. These Master Degrees are all in Dental Hygiene or Dental Therapy.

Can you go from being a dental hygienist to a dentist?

In order to go from being a dental hygienist to a dentist, a person needs to complete dental school. Some programs allow students to complete a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene while working toward a doctorate in dentistry.

How much do dental hygienist make in each state?

What Is the Average Dental Hygienist Salary by State
StateHourly WageAnnual Salary
California - Dental Hygienist Salary$36.35$75,607
Virginia - Dental Hygienist Salary$35.96$74,799
Rhode Island - Dental Hygienist Salary$35.95$74,770
Arizona - Dental Hygienist Salary$35.81$74,487

How much does a dental hygienist teacher make?

Dental Hygiene Instructor Salary
PercentileSalaryLocation
10th Percentile Dental Hygiene Instructor Salary$40,113US
25th Percentile Dental Hygiene Instructor Salary$47,210US
50th Percentile Dental Hygiene Instructor Salary$55,006US
75th Percentile Dental Hygiene Instructor Salary$62,611US

What state do dentists make the most money?

10 States Where Dentists Earn the Most Money
  • New Hampshire average dentist salary: $226,300.
  • Connecticut average dentist salary: $213,390.
  • Wisconsin average dentist salary: $213,210.
  • North Dakota average dentist salary: $212,380.
  • North Carolina average dentist salary: $212,160.
  • Nevada average dentist salary: $210,710.