The average annual income for a California dental hygienist is $89,000 and change, leading all states in the 2009 RDH eVillage salary survey. California, though, ranked fourth among states where dental hygienists feel raises do not occur at “fair” intervals.
In contrast, the average annual income was below $55,000 in Florida, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin. The top 10 list below, though, show Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin for states who had the highest percentage of pay raises within the last 12 months.
Overall, 1,461 RDH eVillage readers participated in the survey, which was first initiated in its August 2009 issue.
The question regarding hygienists’ sentiments about the frequency of raises merely asked if the reader thinks raises come at “fair” intervals. The question did not ask, for example, if the raises are awarded at fair intervals despite the current economic climate. Each hygienist certainly has his or her own interpretation of what’s fair.
State rankings for annual income*
California $89,440
Maryland $74,780
Washington $73,600
Arizona $67,180
Virginia $66,040
Texas $65,370
Illinois $64,970
Oregon $64,630
New Jersey $63,080
Massachusetts $62,920
Indiana $62,210
Kansas $61,180
Georgia $60,990
Colorado 60,550
Minnesota $58,910
Ohio $56,700
North Carolina $54,750
New York $54,280
Pennsylvania $54,200
Tennessee $54,030
Florida $53,030
Wisconsin $52,120
Michigan $51,440
* Only states with at least 15 hygienists who reported working 30 hours or more are included in the above ranking.
Top 10 states where you might get a pay raise*
1. Iowa
2. Wisconsin
3. Oregon
4. Nebraska
5. New York
6. Washington
7. Minnesota
8. New Jersey
9. Pennsylvania
10. Michigan
* Unlike annual income chart above, this ranking is based on states with at least 15 responses, regardless of whether hygienists work full time or part time.
Top 10 states where a raise is not likely to happen
1. Louisiana (only 14% got a raise in past 12 months)
2. Connecticut
3. Florida
4. California
5. Maryland
6. Massachusetts (tie)
Tennessee (tie)
8. Colorado
9. Missouri
10. Kentucky
* Unlike annual income chart above, this ranking is based on states with at least 15 responses, regardless of whether hygienists work full time or part time.
Top 10 states where pay raises do not occur at “fair” intervals
1. Massachusetts (76 percent do not think raises occur at “fair intervals)
2. Georgia
3. Colorado (tie)
Tennessee (tie)
Utah (tie)
6. Texas (tie)
Florida (tie)
8. Missouri (tie)
Ohio (tie)
10. Michigan
The annual income estimates in the state-by-state breakdown below are based only on hygienists who indicated they work more than 30 hours a week.
This is the fourth RDH eVillage report on its salary survey. To view the article about the impact of the economy on the dental hygiene profession, click here. To view the article about hourly rates reported in the survey, click here. To view the article about daily rates and hygienists who work on commission, click here.
Alabama – 13 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The eight who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $32,700. Three have received a raise within the last year, and nine do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Alaska – Six dental hygienists participated in the survey. The four who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $75,000. Two have received a raise within the last year, and three do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Arizona – 44 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 22 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $67,180. Thirty-three percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 63% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Arkansas – 11 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The eight who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $60,990. Two received a raise within the last 12 months, and seven do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
California – 119 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 57 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $89,440. Twenty-six percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 64% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Colorado – 32 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 15 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $60,550. Twenty-nine percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 70% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Connecticut – 18 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The six who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $73,000. Eighteen percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 61% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Delaware – Five dental hygienists participated in the survey. All five work less than 30 hours a week. Three received a raise within the last 12 months, and three do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Florida – 76 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 46 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $53,030. Twenty-two percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 68% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Georgia – 50 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 26 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $60,990. Thirty-five percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 71% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Hawaii – Six dental hygienists participated in the survey. All six work more than 30 hours a week and estimated an average annual income of $55,000. One received a raise within the last 12 months, and three do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Idaho – 11 dental hygienists participated in the survey. Six work more than 30 hours a week and estimated an average annual income of $59,000. Two received a raise within the last 12 months, and seven do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Illinois – 69 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 36 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $64,970. Thirty-three percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 63% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Indiana – 42 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 18 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $62,210. Thirty-nine percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 60% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Iowa – 17 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 10 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $50,210. Seventy-one percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 41% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Kansas – 25 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 15 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $61,180. Thirty-nine percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 54% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Kentucky – 17 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The five who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $44,280. Thirty-one percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 59% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Louisiana – 16 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 14 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $66,140. Fourteen percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 63% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Maine – Seven dental hygienists participated in the survey. Only two worked more than 30 hours a week. One received a raise within the last 12 months, and four do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Maryland – 31 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 17 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $74,780. Twenty-eight percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 59% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Massachusetts – 39 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 20 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $62,920. Twenty-nine percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 76% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Michigan – 67 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 26 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $51,440. Forty percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 66% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Minnesota – 31 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 15 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $58,910. Forty-five percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 55% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Mississippi – Three dental hygienists participated in the survey. Only two worked more than 30 hours a week. No one received a raise within the last 12 months, and two do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Missouri – 34 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 14 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $59,110. Thirty percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 67% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Montana – Four dental hygienists participated in the survey. Only one worked more than 30 hours a week. One received a raise within the last 12 months, and three do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Nebraska – 17 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The nine who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $47,280. Fifty percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 57% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Nevada – Eight dental hygienists participated in the survey. The six who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $86,170. Three received a raise within the last 12 months, and five do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
New Hampshire – 18 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The six who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $59,900. Thirty-three percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 56% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
New Jersey – 37 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 17 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $63,080. Forty-three percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 65% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
New Mexico – Eight dental hygienists participated in the survey. The five who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $67,480. Three received a raise within the last 12 months, and five do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
New York – 62 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 32 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $54,280. Forty-seven percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 56% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
North Carolina – 41 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 32 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $54,750. Thirty-seven percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 59% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
North Dakota – Six dental hygienists participated in the survey. Only three work more than 30 hours a week. Five received a raise within the last 12 months, and one do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Ohio – 66 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 38 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $56,700. Thirty-four percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 67% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Oklahoma – 11 dental hygienists participated in the survey. Only four work more than 30 hours a week. Four received a raise within the last 12 months, and four do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Oregon – 26 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 16 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $64,630. Sixty percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 42% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Pennsylvania – 72 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 41 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $54,200. Forty-one percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 61% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Rhode Island – Seven dental hygienists participated in the survey. Only two work more than 30 hours a week. Two received a raise within the last 12 months, and six do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
South Carolina – Nine dental hygienists participated in the survey. The eight who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $50,880. Two received a raise within the last 12 months, and six do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
South Dakota – Three dental hygienists participated in the survey. All three worked more than 30 hours a week. Two received a raise within the last 12 months, and two do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Tennessee – 24 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 15 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $54,030. Twenty-nine percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 70% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Texas – 70 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 43 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $65,370. Thirty-five percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 68% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Utah – 21 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The five who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $55,540. Thirty-five percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 70% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Vermont – Six dental hygienists participated in the survey. Only four work more than 30 hours a week. One received a raise within the last 12 months, and six do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Virginia – 41 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 22 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $66,040. Thirty-six percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 56% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Washington – 60 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 28 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $73,600. Forty-six percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 54% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
West Virginia – Seven dental hygienists participated in the survey. Only four work more than 30 hours a week. Five received a raise within the last 12 months, and all seven do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Wisconsin – 43 dental hygienists participated in the survey. The 17 who work more than 30 hours a week estimated an average annual income of $52,120. Sixty-two percent received a raise within the last 12 months, and 42% do not think they receive raises at fair intervals.
Wyoming – Two dental hygienists participated in the survey. Both received a raise within the last 12 months, and both think they receive raises at fair intervals.
