Minneapolis metropolitan area — 25 responses
Total responses for Minnesota: 33
Average hourly rate for Minnesota (which include responses from the Twin Cities area): $33.15
Average hourly rate for Minneapolis area: $34.09
The most common hourly rate reported was: 30% of the hourly rates were either $31 or $32 an hour.
Benefits available through employer
- Health insurance, 53%
- Employer contribution towards retirement, 58%
- Paid vacation and holidays, 90%
- Paid sick leave, 47%
- Life insurance, 16%
- Dental insurance, 47%
- Disability insurance, 32%
- CE tuition reimbursement, 68%
Comments about the Twin Cities area
- Hygienists, who have retained their jobs, seem to be making higher wages. Many dentists I've met who have not hired in some time are unaware of the surplus of RDHs or the drop in salaries. They still remember the days of RDH shortages. Those who are aware have significantly dropped their salaries due to supply/demand. I'm also hearing preferences for RDHs with at least 2 years over RDHs with significantly more experience. Two office managers shared with me their DDS concern with higher insurance premiums for older RDH as well as higher salaries and were instructed to screen them out of applicants.
- Benefits continue to be cut annually, whether it is fewer days of vacation or a still higher deductible medical insurance plan. Whenever an opening for a hygienist position presents itself, there are usually at least 150 applicants. So changing employers is not really an option. My earnings are not keeping up with the changes in the cost of living. I've had no raise in several years and don't think I'll be seeing one in the foreseeable future despite increased demands on the job. I am in a leadership position at my clinic, but receive no compensation for the extra time, effort and responsibility that this involves. I tell myself this looks good on the resume, but feel like it won't matter in the end as there is no where else to go.
- Too many dental hygiene schools opening in the last decade has driven our supply of hygienists up too high and has driven salaries and conditions down.
- Dentists in our area know they can hire a hygienist for less money so raises are very small or nonexistent.
