Dental Hygiene Hourly Wage

Can anyone tell me how much you get paid hourly working as a dental hygienist. I make $36 dollars an hour and I just graduated from school. Should I be making more.

Michelly in Tennessee said: Can anyone tell me how much you get paid hourly working as a dental hygienist. I make $36 dollars an hour and I just graduated from school. Should I be making more.

Hi, That's pretty good in the market today, but if you want to know what others make, maybe contact friends from school who are in TN, and Temp ag's (they may have a "sliding fee scale", they do have this at some ag's now due to the economy and abundance of R.D.H.'s in the field now). P.S. I'd stay where you are if it's a decent practice, as many are now offereing less, again, alot of us in this field now...many searching for regular/set hours and days. GL

That is above the going wage, even with experience.

want to get my welding certs back in El Segundo, California said: That is above the going wage, even with experience.

Are you an R.D.H.? Have you or are you working in D.H. in TN?
How do you know this is "above wage" for TN?

exp in North Hampton, New Hampshire said: Are you an R.D.H.? Have you or are you working in D.H. in TN?
How do you know this is "above wage" for TN?

I have family in the Chattanooga area and she got back to me. She let her certs go, and would rather work at a lower rate than go back to school at this time.

Have a friend who just did a working interview in TN. Got to work 15 min early, 11 min for lunch, stayed over 30 minutes, plus worked her 8 hours consisting of 14 patients, and walked out with $240 for the day. No taxes taken out.
I think $36/hour is very good considering the state of our economy.

Suzanne in Indianapolis, Indiana said: Have a friend who just did a working interview in TN. Got to work 15 min early, 11 min for lunch, stayed over 30 minutes, plus worked her 8 hours consisting of 14 patients, and walked out with $240 for the day. No taxes taken out.
I think $36/hour is very good considering the state of our economy.

Is it just me, but shouldn't your wage reflect what you produce. Is the "poor economy" just a lame excuse for greedy
DDS to pay less? If you produce a decent days earning for your employer, shouldn't you have the perks?
If the economy is so called "bad" yet production and sales remain relatively the same...then why do we succumb to the excuse?

I agree if you produce less you should be paid less. That is the only fair.

nojobs,
I agree with you totally! And yes I feel many dds are taking full advantage of the hard times situation. Production is constant or growing and wages are decreasing. Many no longer offer bonuses which used to be customary. I am having $2000 days and make $34/hour with no perks. Stinks, I think. About 10% pay for what I'm producing. I have been told to clock out to wait for a patient or for a cancellation and no matter I am meeting production. So I may only have 5 or 6 hours on the clock but still made bank for the doc. Doesn't matter. I'm lining his pockets for sure.

I think you are earning enough already for 36 dollars an hour. How many hours do you work per day and how many days in a week? Good for you, you're already earning that much considering you have just graduated.

I depends on what state you live in. I'm in WA state. On the western side of the state, hygienists are paid higher wages because of a higher cost of living. King county pays the highest wage. The cities Seattle and Bellevue pay the most. In these cities, you can make $60 an hour but, traffic is horrific. Commute times are bad, housing costs are rediculous and parking costs a bundle. I work in Pierce county, in the Tacoma area. I make $46 an hour, have medical, vacation and the other usual benefits. My commute time is less than 25 minutes each way (light traffic)and parking is free. You really need to look at the big picture.

Thank you guys, You have given me a new idea. I have been looking to change career, I am going to study dental hygiene. How long is the training for dental hygienist?

Michelly in Tennessee said: Can anyone tell me how much you get paid hourly working as a dental hygienist. I make $36 dollars an hour and I just graduated from school. Should I be making more.

Try to visit this link www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Dental_Hygienist/Hourly_Rate so you will know how much dental hygienist usually get based on experience. All the best!

Anybody know the average dental hygiene salary for my area. Brevard county Florida all areas? If not, Florida in general, east Coast. What should I be asking for

just graduated in Melbourne, Florida said: Anybody know the average dental hygiene salary for my area. Brevard county Florida all areas? If not, Florida in general, east Coast. What should I be asking for

Find dental hygiene temp ag's online for Fla./east coast (towns...), google...start there. I think that the ag's will be able to give you an accurate $ scale as to the market right now and your being a recent grad...many offices take into account your skills, certs, and beyond as to hiring. GL

Sofia Silcox in Milwaukee said: I think you are earning enough already for 36 dollars an hour. How many hours do you work per day and how many days in a week? Good for you, you're already earning that much considering you have just graduated.

I also make $36. - hour in Indiana, 4 days a week (7:30-5:20). The dentist is a 1.2 million dollar dentist ( highest paid for our area for sure) and everyone in our area wants his care because he's highly skilled, detailed and has a big heart! :) I'm glad to see others making good wages.

Suzanne in Indianapolis, Indiana said: nojobs,
I agree with you totally! And yes I feel many dds are taking full advantage of the hard times situation. Production is constant or growing and wages are decreasing. Many no longer offer bonuses which used to be customary. I am having $2000 days and make $34/hour with no perks. Stinks, I think. About 10% pay for what I'm producing. I have been told to clock out to wait for a patient or for a cancellation and no matter I am meeting production. So I may only have 5 or 6 hours on the clock but still made bank for the doc. Doesn't matter. I'm lining his pockets for sure.

A hygienist should produce 3 times her salary . After that you should get a percentage of the overhead .
Your doctor sounds like a jerk and you should have a rel HEART TO HEART meeting .
Go in with your numbers , break it down and ask for 25 percent over the 3 times your salary. if that does not work , look for another job . Hygienist are MONEY MAKERS for the office , and if you are producing --GET PAID FOR IT!! GO GET HIM!!!!

36 dollars an hour is a good rate. If your office offers you any benefits then you know you are in a good office. Even health insurance is NOT offered by most dentists. Good luck!

Hourly pay for RDH in Clearwater, Fl area?

Michelly in Tennessee said: Can anyone tell me how much you get paid hourly working as a dental hygienist . I make $36 dollars an hour and I just graduated from school. Should I be making more.

New York state starts just from 26-27 (that would be good salary) and after 3 months lots of places want that you work hourly (not monthly salary) and some may give you % from productivity...

NYC I think is so low.. compare with other states.. :(((

Dina in Webster, New York said: New York state starts just from 26-27 (that would be good salary) and after 3 months lots of places want that you work hourly (not monthly salary) and some may give you % from productivity...

Hi Dina,
If you are a hygienist in NY getting 26-27 an hour, you are grossly underpaid. That pay scale was 22 years ago!