Dental hygienists work mainly in dental offices. Their main tasks include the removal of tartar and plaque from a patient’s teeth. They are also responsible for taking X-rays, applying sealants and fluoride into the teeth of patients, and providing instructions on proper teeth and dental care.
In most cases, they need to obtain an associate dental hygiene degree. It is also crucial for them to obtain a license before they can start working. It is the perfect job for you if you want to help people and if you’re detail-oriented, sensitive to what your patient’s need, and adaptable. As of early 2017, there are 28 accredited dental hygiene schools in California.
One of the reasons why you should consider working as a dental hygienist is that it provides you with a favorable income. In fact, full-time, average median salary for this job reaches up to $80,000 annually, which means that half of the dental hygienist population in the state earn that amount, more or less. In 2016, the median salary for this position in California was around $98,000 per year. It can also be translated to around $47 per hour.
The good thing about being a dental hygienist is that it also lets you earn additional benefits. Some of the benefits you can expect to receive if you are a full-time employee are sick leave, paid vacation, and medical insurance. Several employers also offer retirement plans as well as huge discounts on some dental services.
Note, however, that the benefits differ significantly based on the setting of your practice. It can also be linked to full-time employment. Both part-time and full-time dental hygienists, though, enjoy some form of dental coverage. Also, take note that your dental hygienist salary will be dependent on your experience. If you are still a beginner in the field, then expect to earn less.
If you have less than a year experience, then you will most likely receive a minimum of $45 per hour – that’s roughly around $83,200 every year. For more experienced dental hygienists, they can start earning around $55 per hour or more than $114,000 yearly. Such figure is a good amount for almost all fresh professionals in this field.
Those with extensive experience – usually more than five years – also known as high-end dental hygienists can earn as much as $120,000 annually or more. There is also a lot of room for growth in terms of salary. That said, expect to have a flourishing career as a dental hygienist as your experience grows.
Just like any other job, it is necessary for you to earn a proper education to work as a dental hygienist as such plays a major factor on your salary. In a survey performed by American Dental Hygienist Association, it was discovered that professionals in this field who also hold special privileges and permits, like the administration of anesthesia or those who have licenses, earn the highest salary.
Dental assistants who only hold their high school diploma, on the other hand, receive the lowest amount as far as salary is concerned. That said, it is crucial for you to continue earning a degree after high school. Each degree you completed also corresponds to additional income as possible employers might view you as really qualified and proficient in your chosen field.
In California, the number of career opportunities available for dental hygienists seems to be growing each year. With that in mind, expect to have a bright future if you plan on taking this route. Even beginners in the field have plenty of stable prospects available for them. Between the years 2010 and 2020 come a 38% job growth. It is actually faster when compared to the 14% employment growth that everyone expects for the entire US occupations.
It is mainly because of the studies that prove that there is a strong connection between one’s present dental condition and her/his overall health. With that, more and more people are seeking for dental services, causing licensed dentists to continue expanding their practice. This also translates to the need of more dental hygienists as such aids in accommodating more patients.
There is a bright future ahead of you by working as a dental hygienist in California. It offers a stable annual salary. However, make sure that you work hard towards qualifying for a job. Earn the needed education, get your license and gain enough experience to prove your worth in the industry, and you will surely enjoy a higher dental hygienist salary in California.