Do you still have the feeling that wealth among dental hygienists is out West, that fortunes can be made by following Horace Greeley’s advice about heading in that direction? We’re not sure about wealth, but dental hygienists on the West coast, as in years past, continue to fare better on the pay scale than in the East.In fact, Virginia is the only East Coast state among the top five best hourly rates for dental hygienists in the United States. The asterisk to the preceding statement is that the ranking below is for the top 22 states based on number of responses to the RDH eVillage/RDH magazine salary survey. But there’s a big difference between California and Michigan — almost $19 an hour.California $48.08Washington $42.96Virginia $41Colorado $40.01Arizona $39.23New Jersey $39Massachusetts $38.53Oregon $36.37Texas $36.34Illinois $35.97Georgia $34.58New York $34.04Indiana $33.60Minnesota $32.91North Carolina $32.7Missouri $32Ohio $30.53Florida $30.42Pennsylvania $29.70Wisconsin $29.50Michigan $29.38The state-by-state breakdown below of the daily rates and hourly rates of all 50 states is the second part of the RDH eVillage/RDH magazine salary survey. The first part offered a national perspective of the survey’s results and can be viewed here. Upcoming issues will include additional information from the survey’s results. For example, many states discussed below are influenced by the economic conditions mandated by sprawling metropolitan areas that sometimes cross into more than one state. A subsequent issue of RDH eVillage will look at the results of this salary survey from the perspective of the top 25 metropolitan areas in the country.For now, here are the hourly rates, daily rates, some commission-based descriptions, and benefit packages for the states.Alabama
Who they were: 13 responses. Nine have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. Nine work at least four days a week, and nine also reported earning hourly rates.The pay: The average hourly rate is $21.98. Three reported an hourly rate of $22. $25 was the highest rate reported, and $18.10 was the lowest.The benefits received: (out of nine responses)• Health insurance, four• Employer contribution toward retirement, eight• Paid vacation and holidays, 10 • Paid sick leave, 10 • Life insurance, four• Dental insurance, three• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, nine • Childcare, oneAlaska
Who they were: 11 responses. Eight have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. Eight work at least four days a week, and six also reported earning hourly rates; the other pay schedules were divided between an annual salary or commission. The pay: The average hourly rate is $42.85. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “50% of production,” “40% of production to include X-rays but not the doctor exam done in the hygiene operatory.”The benefits received: (out of nine responses)• Health insurance, six• Employer contribution toward retirement, seven• Paid vacation and holidays, seven• Paid sick leave, five• Life insurance, four• Dental insurance, six• Disability insurance, three• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, seven • Childcare, zeroArizona
Who they were: 50 responses. 60% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 57% work at least four days a week, and 74% report earning hourly rates, and 24% report earning production-based pay. 76% indicated that they work in the Phoenix metropolitan area.The pay: The average hourly rate is $39.23. The most common hourly rates reported were $40 and $38. The highest rate was $50, and the lowest was $32. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “approximately 35% to 40% of production,” “percent of each production based on units; each service has a different unit,” “one office is 50% of everything; other office is 20% per quad of root planning, and 20% per patient for anesthetizing patients for the doctor,” “35% of collections, 1% on treatment diagnosed and completed on my patients (found during the doctor exam at hygiene appointment),” and “50% for hygiene, 20% for radiographs.”The benefits received: (out of 42 responses)• Health insurance, 45%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 48%• Paid vacation and holidays, 81%• Paid sick leave, 29%• Life insurance, 12%• Dental insurance, 21%• Disability insurance, 5%• Flex time, 2%• CE tuition reimbursement, 43%• Childcare, 0%Arkansas
Who they were: 16 responses. Nine have practiced dental hygiene for fewer than 10 years. Thirteen work at least four days a week, and the rates of pay reported were evenly divided between hourly, daily, and commission-based rates.The pay: The average hourly rate is $35.65; however, the majority of responses were at least $38 an hour, but were weighted down by multiple reports of $30 an hour. The average daily rate is $313. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “40% of everything,” “33% on two days and 40% on two days (multiple offices),” “25% over $1,000 on daily production,” “30% of all hygiene procedures including exams, X-rays, and sealants,” “9% of SRP, perio maintenance, and products sold,” “40% of the gross.”The benefits received: (out of 14 responses)• Health insurance, four• Employer contribution toward retirement, six• Paid vacation and holidays, 11• Paid sick leave, two• Life insurance, two• Dental insurance, three• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, five• Childcare, zeroCalifornia
Who they were: 157 responses. 46% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 58% work at least four days a week, and daily rates of pay were reported 52% of the time, compared to hourly rates (36%) and commission-based pay (12%). 61% of the responses came from either the Los Angeles, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, or San Diego metropolitan areas.The pay: 115 daily rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average daily rate is $403. The most common daily rates were $400 (16%), $350 (9%), $375 (8%), and $425 (7%). The highest reported daily rate was $534; the lowest was $245.89 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate is $48.08. The most common hourly rates were $50 (12%) and $45 (11%). In addition, 18% were in $47 to $48 range. The highest hourly rate was $65, and the lowest was $28.13.The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “60% of my production,” “40% of prophys and X-rays,” “50% of prophys, X-rays, SRP, perio maintenance, sealants, and fluoride,” “45% of hygiene and X-ray production,” “40% of all prophys, fluorides, and X-rays that I do,” and “I get a set portion for each thing I do, which ranges from 30% to 50%, depending on what it is.”The benefits received: (out of 103 responses)• Health insurance, 49%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 59%• Paid vacation and holidays, 68%• Paid sick leave, 42%• Life insurance, 13%• Dental insurance, 35%• Disability insurance, 12%• Flex time, 7%• CE tuition reimbursement, 52%• Childcare, 1%Colorado
Who they were: 50 responses. 56% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 58% work at least four days a week, and 84% reported income based on hourly rates. 60% said they work in the Denver metropolitan area.The pay: 54 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate is $40.01. The most common hourly rates were $42 (17%) and $40 (11%). In addition, 19% were in $38 to $39 an hour range. The highest hourly rate was $55, and the lowest was $29. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “50% per procedure done (prophy, exam, X-rays, etc.)” and “quarterly commission based on entire office's production and collection.”The benefits received: (out of 43 responses)• Health insurance, 56%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 61%• Paid vacation and holidays, 81%• Paid sick leave, 35%• Life insurance, 16%• Dental insurance, 30%• Disability insurance, 12%• Flex time, 7%• CE tuition reimbursement, 56%• Childcare, 0%Connecticut
Who they were: 26 responses. 69% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 56% work at least four days a week, and 88% reported income based on hourly rates. Only one response was from the New York City metropolitan area.The pay: 24 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate is $37.90; 33% earn $38 to $39 an hour. The highest hourly rate was $48.60, and the lowest was $31. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “25% of amount over daily goal,” “35% of production,” and “bonus based on quarterly hygiene production. The amount is the difference between what I already have been paid to equal one third production.”The benefits received: (out of 19 responses)• Health insurance, 53%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 53%• Paid vacation and holidays, 84%• Paid sick leave, 47%• Life insurance, 21%• Dental insurance, 21%• Disability insurance, 26%• Flex time, 5%• CE tuition reimbursement, 68%• Childcare, 0%Delaware
Who they were: Three responses. All three have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. One works four days a week, while the other two work three days week. All three reported earning an hourly rate.The pay: The three hourly rates ranged from $33.25 to $34.65.The benefits received: (out of three responses)• Health insurance, one• Employer contribution toward retirement, two• Paid vacation and holidays, three• Paid sick leave, two• Life insurance, one• Dental insurance, one• Disability insurance, one• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, three• Childcare, zeroFlorida
Who they were: 98 responses. 42% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 64% work at least four days a week, and 59% reported hourly rates as their primary pay schedule, compared to daily rates (14%) and commission-based pay (15%). 30% indicated that they work in either the Miami or Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan areas.The pay: 74 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate was $30.42. The most common hourly rate was $30 (23%); however, 27% were equally divided between $35, $32, $31, and $28 an hour. The highest reported hourly rate was $43.50; the lowest was $15.17 daily rates were reported, and the average daily rate was $250.55. 82% reported daily rates above $230 a day.The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included, “$250 a day or 30% of my production over $900. I usually average around $400 a day,” “33% on all hygiene related services that I perform,” “I basically have a set salary of $30 an hour or I get 30% of my production, whichever is higher, for each pay period,” “29% of everything done out of my operatory,” and “$310 base pay and commission up to 31%.”The benefits received: (out of 73 responses)• Health insurance, 58%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 55%• Paid vacation and holidays, 93%• Paid sick leave, 44%• Life insurance, 21%• Dental insurance, 26%• Disability insurance, 12%• Flex time, 6%• CE tuition reimbursement, 32%• Childcare, 0%Georgia
Who they were: 45 responses. 67% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 72% work at least four days a week, and 71% reported income based on hourly rates. 60% indicated that they work in the Atlanta metropolitan area.The pay: 31 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate is $34.58. The most common hourly rates were $40 and $35. 19% earn $35 to $37 an hour, and 29% earn less than $32 an hour. The highest hourly rate was $46.65, and the lowest was $23.34. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “35% of collections,” “35% of production or a minimum of $230,” “33% of production,” “32% of production above goal amount,” and “33%, plus about $100 to $200 a month in bonuses.”The benefits received: (out of 40 responses)• Health insurance, 45%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 60%• Paid vacation and holidays, 93%• Paid sick leave, 55%• Life insurance, 8%• Dental insurance, 20%• Disability insurance, 8%• Flex time, 0%• CE tuition reimbursement, 45%• Childcare, 0%Hawaii
Who they were: Eight responses. Six have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. Five work at least four days a week.The pay: Seven hourly rates ranged from $36 to $42.25.The benefits received: (out of seven responses)• Health insurance, six• Employer contribution toward retirement, five• Paid vacation and holidays, six• Paid sick leave, two• Life insurance, three• Dental insurance, five• Disability insurance, one• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, four• Childcare, zeroIdaho
Who they were: 12 responses. Eight have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. Six work at least four days a week.The pay: The 11 hourly rates reported ranged from $29.50 to $40. Five were in the $35 to $37 an hour range.The benefits received: (out of 11 responses)• Health insurance, five• Employer contribution toward retirement, nine• Paid vacation and holidays, eight• Paid sick leave, five• Life insurance, one• Dental insurance, one• Disability insurance, zero• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, eight• Childcare, zeroIllinois
Who they were: 84 responses. 54% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 63% work at least four days a week, and 81% reported hourly rates as their primary pay schedule, but 10% reported commission-based pay. 68% indicated that they work in the Chicago or St. Louis metropolitan areas.The pay: 89 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate is $35.97. The most common hourly rates were $38 (14%) and $35 (11%); however, 13% earned $39 to $40 an hour. The highest reported hourly rate was $72; the lowest was $20.26.The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “20% of certain procedures,” “$20 an hour, plus 10% of production,” “34% of hygiene production, and 1% of doctor’s production,” and “25% of what is produced in my room.”The benefits received: (out of 67 responses)• Health insurance, 33%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 66%• Paid vacation and holidays, 82%• Paid sick leave, 34%• Life insurance, 12%• Dental insurance, 25%• Disability insurance, 6%• Flex time, 8%• CE tuition reimbursement, 52%• Childcare, 0%Indiana
Who they were: 35 responses. 66% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 53% work at least four days a week, and 74% reported income based on hourly rates. 48% indicated that they work in either the Chicago or Indianapolis metropolitan areas.The pay: 31 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate was $33.60. 32% earned hourly rates ranging from $34 to $37. The highest hourly rate was $50, and the lowest was $19. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included, “42% of all hygiene intake,” “I earn half of everything I do,” “50% of cleanings and root planning, and 25% of fluoride, X-rays, and sealants,” and “39% of hygiene treatment including fee for doctor exam.”The benefits received: (out of 30 responses)• Health insurance, 20%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 70%• Paid vacation and holidays, 80%• Paid sick leave, 37%• Life insurance, 13%• Dental insurance, 30%• Disability insurance, 10%• Flex time, 7%• CE tuition reimbursement, 43%• Childcare, 0%Iowa
Who they were: 23 responses. 87% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 77% work at least four days a week, and 87% reported income based on hourly rates. The pay: 21 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate is $32.58. 38% earned hourly rates ranging from $33.76 to $35.25. The highest hourly rate was $39, and the lowest was $25.The benefits received: (out of 22 responses)• Health insurance, 41%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 77%• Paid vacation and holidays, 96%• Paid sick leave, 64%• Life insurance, 18%• Dental insurance, 32%• Disability insurance, 18%• Flex time, 14%• CE tuition reimbursement, 68%• Childcare, 5%KansasWho they were: 21 responses. 57% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 76% work at least four days a week, and 81% reported income based on hourly rates. The pay: 19 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate was $33.27. The most common hourly rate was $30 (32%). However, another 32% earned hourly rates ranging from $36 to $38. The highest hourly rate was $41.25, and the lowest was $29. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “45% of collections,” “30% over a daily goal,” and “has been 30% of total production, but recently was reduced to 28%, effective in October.”The benefits received: (out of 19 responses)• Health insurance, 42%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 79%• Paid vacation and holidays, 90%• Paid sick leave, 21%• Life insurance, 5%• Dental insurance, 16%• Disability insurance, 11%• Flex time, 11%• CE tuition reimbursement, 47%• Childcare, 0%KentuckyWho they were: 13 responses. Ten have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. Five work at least four days a week.The pay: The 12 hourly rates reported consisted of seven ranging from $25 to $28 an hour, and five ranging from $30 to $35 an hour.The benefits received: (out of 12 responses)• Health insurance, four• Employer contribution toward retirement, three• Paid vacation and holidays, eight• Paid sick leave, two• Life insurance, two• Dental insurance, three• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, three• CE tuition reimbursement, seven• Childcare, zeroLouisianaWho they were: 18 responses. Nine have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. Thirteen work at least four days a week, and nine reported income based on daily rates. The pay: Nine of the 11 daily rates reported (including four from hygienists working in multiple offices) ranged from $270 to $325 a day. Eight of 11 hourly rates ranged from $32 to $38 an hour.The benefits received: (out of 16 responses)• Health insurance, 19%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 69%• Paid vacation and holidays, 81%• Paid sick leave, 25%• Life insurance, 6%• Dental insurance, 13%• Disability insurance, 19%• Flex time, 6%• CE tuition reimbursement, 38%• Childcare, 0%Maine
Who they were: Nine responses. All nine have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. Six work at least four days a week.The pay: Seven hourly rates ranged from $27.25 to $35.The benefits received: (out of eight responses)• Health insurance, four• Employer contribution toward retirement, seven• Paid vacation and holidays, eight• Paid sick leave, four• Life insurance, two• Dental insurance, two• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, one• CE tuition reimbursement, eight• Childcare, zeroMarylandWho they were: 28 responses. 54% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 79% work at least four days a week, and 70% reported income based on hourly rates. 71% said they work in either the Washington, D.C., or Baltimore metropolitan areas. The pay: 23 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists working in multiple offices, and the average hourly rate was $41.07; 43% of the respondents reported earning rates of $40, $43, or $45. The benefits received: (out of 22 responses)• Health insurance, 55%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 64%• Paid vacation and holidays, 86%• Paid sick leave, 64%• Life insurance, 14%• Dental insurance, 36%• Disability insurance, 9%• Flex time, 5%• CE tuition reimbursement, 46%• Childcare, 0%MassachusettsWho they were: 39 responses. 67% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 63% work at least four days a week, and 88% reported income based on hourly rates. 49% indicated that they work in the Boston metropolitan area. The pay: 42 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate was $38.53. The most common hourly rates reported were $40 and $41 (24%). However, 26% reported rates in the $36.50 to $38.50 range. The highest hourly rate was $46.50, and the lowest was $28.85. The benefits received: (out of 38 responses)• Health insurance, 58%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 58%• Paid vacation and holidays, 84%• Paid sick leave, 47%• Life insurance, 18%• Dental insurance, 32%• Disability insurance, 18%• Flex time, 3%• CE tuition reimbursement, 68%• Childcare, 0%Michigan
Who they were: 100 responses. 48% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 46% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 89% of the time. 32% indicated that they work in the Detroit metropolitan area.The pay: 104 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate was $29.38. The most common hourly rates were $28 (11%), $30 (10%), $31 (9%), and $27 (9%). In addition, 20% earn more than $32 an hour, and another 20% earn less than $27 an hour. The highest hourly rate was $40, and the lowest was $17.50.The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included, “I get 33% of what I produce” and “22% of total production.”The benefits received: (out of 89 responses)• Health insurance, 34%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 56%• Paid vacation and holidays, 84%• Paid sick leave, 34%• Life insurance, 11%• Dental insurance, 20%• Disability insurance, 11%• Flex time, 5%• CE tuition reimbursement, 61%• Childcare, 0%MinnesotaWho they were: 30 responses. 73% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 72% work at least four days a week, and 74% reported income based on hourly rates. 37% said they work in the Minneapolis metropolitan area.The pay: 25 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate was $32.91. Overall, the rates were evenly distributed between a high of $40 and a low of $25. However, 32% of the hourly rates fell in the $33 to $35 range. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “30% of the difference between salary and production,” “32% of production for hygiene,” and “33% of collected production, so usually around 25% of gross production.”The benefits received: (out of 38 responses)• Health insurance, 44%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 70%• Paid vacation and holidays, 96%• Paid sick leave, 56%• Life insurance, 22%• Dental insurance, 44%• Disability insurance, 11%• Flex time, 7%• CE tuition reimbursement, 52%• Childcare, 0%MississippiWho they were: Five responses. Two have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. Four work at least four days a week.The pay: Four hourly rates were reported: $25, $27, $32, and $32.50. Five daily rates were reported: $200, $210, $215, $225, and $245.The benefits received: (out of eight responses)• Health insurance, zero• Employer contribution toward retirement, two• Paid vacation and holidays, two• Paid sick leave, one• Life insurance, zero• Dental insurance, zero• Disability insurance, one• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, two• Childcare, zeroMissouriWho they were: 54 responses. 61% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 80% work at least four days a week, and 71% reported income based on hourly rates. 63% said they work in the St. Louis or Kansas City metropolitan areas.The pay: 42 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate was $32.57. The most common hourly rate was $32 (19%); however, 21% reported earning either $33 or $34 an hour. The highest hourly rate was $45, and the lowest was $25. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “30% of production,” “$20 an hour plus 35% production over $480 a day,” “40% above a daily goal of $650,” and “26% of daily production.”The benefits received: (out of 48 responses)• Health insurance, 42%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 54%• Paid vacation and holidays, 88%• Paid sick leave, 38%• Life insurance, 15%• Dental insurance, 25%• Disability insurance, 17%• Flex time, 4%• CE tuition reimbursement, 56%• Childcare, 0%MontanaWho they were: Seven responses. Five have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and five work at least four days a week.The pay: Six hourly rates were reported: $25, $26, $31, $31.69, $32, and $32. The benefits received: (out of seven responses)• Health insurance, five• Employer contribution toward retirement, five• Paid vacation and holidays, five• Paid sick leave, three• Life insurance, three• Dental insurance, four• Disability insurance, one• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, four• Childcare, zeroNebraskaWho they were: 10 responses. Nine have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and five work at least four days a week.The pay: Nine hourly rates were reported: $26.50, $28, $29, $29.50, $30, $31, $32, $33, and $36. The benefits received: (out of eight responses)• Health insurance, two• Employer contribution toward retirement, six• Paid vacation and holidays, six• Paid sick leave, six• Life insurance, one• Dental insurance, one• Disability insurance, one• Flex time, one• CE tuition reimbursement, five• Childcare, zeroNevadaWho they were: 16 responses. Eleven have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. Nine work at least four days a week, and 10 reported income based on hourly rates. The pay: 15 hourly rates were reported (including hygienists who work for multiple offices). The average hourly rate is $41.93; seven of the rates reported were either $40 an hour or $42 an hour. $50 was the highest rate; $36 was the lowest rate. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “60% of hygiene production” and “65% of hygiene production.”The benefits received: (out of 11 responses)• Health insurance, seven• Employer contribution toward retirement, six• Paid vacation and holidays, 10• Paid sick leave, six• Life insurance, two• Dental insurance, two• Disability insurance, one• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, six• Childcare, zeroNew HampshireWho they were: 12 responses. Six have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years, and six work at least four days a week.The pay: 12 hourly rates were reported, ranging from $30 to $39.82. The average is $36.95.The benefits received: (out of nine responses)• Health insurance, five• Employer contribution toward retirement, seven• Paid vacation and holidays, eight• Paid sick leave, five• Life insurance, two• Dental insurance, four• Disability insurance, three• Flex time, one• CE tuition reimbursement, eight• Childcare, zeroNew JerseyWho they were: 48 responses. 64% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 57% work at least four days a week, and 96% reported income based on hourly rates. 42% indicated that they work in the New York City or Philadelphia metropolitan areas.The pay: 56 hourly rates were reported (including from hygienists employed in multiple offices), and the average hourly rate was $39. The most common hourly rates were $40 (16%) and $35 (14%). The highest hourly rate was $50, and the lowest was $30. The benefits received: (out of 40 responses)• Health insurance, 53%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 50%• Paid vacation and holidays, 80%• Paid sick leave, 50%• Life insurance, 10%• Dental insurance, 13%• Disability insurance, 5%• Flex time, 0%• CE tuition reimbursement, 40%• Childcare, 3%New MexicoWho they were: 14 responses. Nine have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and 11 work at least four days a week.The pay: The eight hourly rates reported were $30, $34, $35, $36.50, $38.64, $40 (twice), and $46.The benefits received: (out of 13 responses)• Health insurance, eight• Employer contribution toward retirement, 12• Paid vacation and holidays, 13• Paid sick leave, 10• Life insurance, four• Dental insurance, four• Disability insurance, six• Flex time, two• CE tuition reimbursement, 11• Childcare, oneNew YorkWho they were: 79 responses. 52% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 63% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 89% of the time. 29% said they work in the New York City metropolitan area.The pay: 86 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate is $34.04. Because of the presence of New York City vs. rural parts of the state, hourly rates ranged from $20 to $55. The most common hourly rate was $40 (11%). But the variety of rates reported included $28 (6%), $30 (7%), $31 (6%), $35 (7%), $37 (6%) and $38 (7%). All of those six percents and seven percents add up to 39%, more than a third of the state’s hygienists. It very much depends on where you live. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, New York City and its 29% influence on the results of this survey will be evaluated in another issue.The benefits received: (out of 66 responses)• Health insurance, 53%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 68%• Paid vacation and holidays, 86%• Paid sick leave, 52%• Life insurance, 9%• Dental insurance, 32%• Disability insurance, 27%• Flex time, 3%• CE tuition reimbursement, 58%• Childcare, 0%North CarolinaWho they were: 61 responses. 56% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 78% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 57% of the time.The pay: 44 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate was $32.70. The most common hourly rates reported were $33 (16%) and $35 (14%). The highest hourly rate was $44; the lowest was $20. In addition, 27% of the hourly rates were between $30 and $32. North Carolina hygienists also reported nine daily rates, ranging from $354 on the high end to $200 on the low end. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included, “earn 25% of my production over $800 per day” and “32% of my production only.”The benefits received: (out of 51 responses)• Health insurance, 71%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 69%• Paid vacation and holidays, 94%• Paid sick leave, 55%• Life insurance, 24%• Dental insurance, 26%• Disability insurance, 18%• Flex time, 12%• CE tuition reimbursement, 69%• Childcare, 0%North DakotaWho they were: Eight responses. Six have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and seven work at least four days a week.The pay: Five hourly rates were reported: $26.40, $29, $32.50, $35, and $37.The benefits received: (out of eight responses)• Health insurance, three• Employer contribution toward retirement, seven• Paid vacation and holidays, eight• Paid sick leave, six• Life insurance, two• Dental insurance, one• Disability insurance, zero• Flex time, one• CE tuition reimbursement, six• Childcare, zeroOhio
Who they were: 77 responses. 53% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 66% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 79% of the time.The pay: 78 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate was $30.53. 23% earn $35 an hour or more, $40.23 being the highest rate reported; 19% earned between $31 and $33.50 an hour; the most common rate was $30 (9%); and 40% earned between $23 and $29 an hour. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “25% of daily production goal,” “61% of prophys, fluoride, root planing, sealants and 10% of X-rays,” “33% of my production,” “40% of prophys, X-ray and fluoride treatment fees.”The benefits received: (out of 68 responses)• Health insurance, 38%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 66%• Paid vacation and holidays, 90%• Paid sick leave, 46%• Life insurance, 18%• Dental insurance, 25%• Disability insurance, 10%• Flex time, 6%• CE tuition reimbursement, 47%• Childcare, 0%Oklahoma
Who they were: 21 responses. Nine have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and 10 work at least four days a week.The pay: Nine daily rates were reported, ranging from $275 to $380 a day. The average was $315 a day. Five hourly rates were reported: $25, $36, $37.50, $40, and $41. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included, “in one office, I make 40%; the other office I am paid 50%,” “$275 per day or 30%, whichever is greatest from production,” “40% commission after a production rate of $450 ($195 base pay),” and “I receive 40% of everything that is produced in my operatory.”The benefits received: (out of 18 responses)• Health insurance, seven• Employer contribution toward retirement, 10• Paid vacation and holidays, 16• Paid sick leave, seven• Life insurance, one• Dental insurance, two• Disability insurance, one• Flex time, one• CE tuition reimbursement, eight• Childcare, zeroOregonWho they were: 32 responses. 75% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 63% work at least four days a week, and 77% reported income based on hourly rates. The pay: 30 hourly rates were reported (including from hygienists employed in multiple offices), and the average hourly rate is $36.37. The most common hourly rate was $40 (16%), but 70% earned less than $39 an hour; 23% earn between $34 and $36.50. The highest hourly rate was $43, and the lowest was $20. The benefits received: (out of 28 responses)• Health insurance, 68%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 71%• Paid vacation and holidays, 82%• Paid sick leave, 46%• Life insurance, 21%• Dental insurance, 54%• Disability insurance, 18%• Flex time, 21%• CE tuition reimbursement, 79%• Childcare, 7%Pennsylvania
Who they were: 70 responses. 55% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 70% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 82% of the time. 36% said they work in either the Philadelphia or Pittsburgh metropolitan areas.The pay: 74 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate is $29.70. The most common hourly rate was $30 (10%). However, 23% earned between $34 and $37, 16% earned $27 to $28 an hour, and 23% earned $26 an hour or less, which is likely a conflict of pay scales between the larger cities and more rural areas. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh will be profiled in a later issue. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included, “33% of hygiene production, exams included” and “37% of prophys, X-rays, and sealants.”The benefits received: (out of 54 responses)• Health insurance, 48%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 59%• Paid vacation and holidays, 80%• Paid sick leave, 39%• Life insurance, 17%• Dental insurance, 30%• Disability insurance, 20%• Flex time, 6%• CE tuition reimbursement, 61%• Childcare, 0%Rhode Island
Who they were: Nine responses. Six have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and five work at least four days a week.The pay: Eleven hourly rates were reported: $27, $30, $31 (twice), $32, $34, $35 (twice), $36, $37, and $40.The benefits received: (out of eight responses)• Health insurance, five• Employer contribution toward retirement, five• Paid vacation and holidays, eight• Paid sick leave, zero• Life insurance, zero• Dental insurance, zero• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, three• Childcare, zeroSouth CarolinaWho they were: 20 responses. Thirteen have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and 14 work at least four days a week.The pay: 19 hourly rates were reported, and the average rate was $28.64. Five earned $30 to $30.50, and six earned $26 to $27.50. The highest rate reported was $40, and $20 was the lowest.The benefits received: (out of 16 responses)• Health insurance, six• Employer contribution toward retirement, eight• Paid vacation and holidays, 15• Paid sick leave, eight• Life insurance, five• Dental insurance, four• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, three• CE tuition reimbursement, six• Childcare, zeroSouth Dakota
Who they were: Six responses. Five have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years, and five work at least four days a week.The pay: Four hourly rates were reported: $30.50, $31, $33, and $34.The benefits received: (out of six responses)• Health insurance, five• Employer contribution toward retirement, six• Paid vacation and holidays, six• Paid sick leave, four• Life insurance, one• Dental insurance, two• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, six• Childcare, zeroTennessee
Who they were: 24 responses. 54% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 65% work at least four days a week, and 44% reported income based on hourly rates. The pay: Nine hourly rates were reported: $30 (twice) $34, $35, $35.50, $38 (twice), $38.85, and $39. Seven daily rates were reported: $240, $250, $256, $285 (twice), $320, and $325. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included, “50% commission,” “production x 65% = ___ x 35% = my pay,” and “30% over daily goal of $845. We do not count exams in our daily production, they go on doctor’s.”The benefits received: (out of 23 responses)• Health insurance, 35%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 61%• Paid vacation and holidays, 83%• Paid sick leave, 35%• Life insurance, 17%• Dental insurance, 9%• Disability insurance, 4%• Flex time, 4%• CE tuition reimbursement, 57%• Childcare, 0%Texas
Who they were: 94 responses. 51% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 70% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 56% of the time. 63% of the responses came from either the Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston metropolitan areas.The pay: 61 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate was $36.34. The most common hourly rates were $35 (15%) and $38 (13%). In addition, 13% earned either $39 or $40 an hour, and 18% earned either $36 or $37 an hour. Overall, 62% earned $35 to $40 an hour. The highest hourly rate reported was $50, and the lowest was $23.50.Texans also reported 22 daily rates, ranging from $224 to $380. The average was $274 a day. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “one third of production,” “40% of hygiene production not including exam,” “$250 a day or 40% of production,” “31% of anything that I produce: exams, X-rays, prophys, sealants, SRP, bleaching, products sold, etc.” “50% of hygiene procedures, 25% of X-rays,” and “38% of all X-rays, exam, prophys and scaling.”The benefits received: (out of 54 responses)• Health insurance, 31%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 58%• Paid vacation and holidays, 85%• Paid sick leave, 49%• Life insurance, 16%• Dental insurance, 21%• Disability insurance, 16%• Flex time, 8%• CE tuition reimbursement, 56%• Childcare, 1%Utah
Who they were: 13 responses. Eight have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and eight work at least four days a week.The pay: 10 hourly rates were reported: $30, $31, $32 (four times), $33, $36, $38, $39The benefits received: (out of 11 responses)• Health insurance, four• Employer contribution toward retirement, six• Paid vacation and holidays, seven• Paid sick leave, five• Life insurance, two• Dental insurance, four• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, eight• Childcare, zeroVermont
Who they were: 7 responses. All seven have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and five work at least four days a week.The pay: Five hourly rates were reported: $32, $32.51, $34.56, $35, and $37.The benefits received: (out of seven responses)• Health insurance, four• Employer contribution toward retirement, six• Paid vacation and holidays, six• Paid sick leave, four• Life insurance, two• Dental insurance, three• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, one• CE tuition reimbursement, five• Childcare, zeroVirginia
Who they were: 51 responses. 73% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 65% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 73% of the time. 28% said they work in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.The pay: 47 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate was $41. On the high end of the pay scale, 34% earn $44 to $54 an hour; however, 40% reported hourly rates ranging from $34 to $40. Nine daily rates were reported, ranging from $251 to $400, and the average daily rate is $328.The benefits received: (out of 46 responses)• Health insurance, 44%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 63%• Paid vacation and holidays, 96%• Paid sick leave, 35%• Life insurance, 0%• Dental insurance, 22%• Disability insurance, 0%• Flex time, 2%• CE tuition reimbursement, 59%• Childcare, 0%WashingtonWho they were: 58 responses. 67% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 68% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 95% of the time. 38% said they work in the Seattle metropolitan area.The pay: 64 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate was $42.96. The most common hourly rate was $42 (95). 16% earn $45 to $46.60, and 11% earn $50 an hour or more ($62 was the highest rate reported). On the lower end of the pay scale, 17% earn $36 to $38.50 ($33 was the lowest rate reported).The benefits received: (out of 50 responses)• Health insurance, 58%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 74%• Paid vacation and holidays, 86%• Paid sick leave, 46%• Life insurance, 12%• Dental insurance, 38%• Disability insurance, 12%• Flex time, 6%• CE tuition reimbursement, 64%• Childcare, 0%West Virginia
Who they were: Six responses. Three have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years, and three have practiced for less than five years. Four work at least four days a week.The pay: Five hourly rates were reported: $19.75, $20, $22, $25, and $26. The two daily rates reported were $184 and $198. The benefits received: (out of five responses)• Health insurance, two• Employer contribution toward retirement, two• Paid vacation and holidays, five• Paid sick leave, two• Life insurance, one• Dental insurance, zero• Disability insurance, zero• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, three• Childcare, zeroWisconsin
Who they were: 80 responses. 66% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 63% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 87% of the time.The pay: 82 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate was $29.50. The most common hourly rates were $30 (10%) and $27 (9%). In addition, 13% earned $34 to $36.60 an hour, 20% earn $28 to $29.50 an hour, and 11% earn $24 to $26.50 an hour. The highest hourly rate reported was $37.15, and the lowest was $21.The benefits received: (out of 74 responses)• Health insurance, 46%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 82%• Paid vacation and holidays, 89%• Paid sick leave, 46%• Life insurance, 27%• Dental insurance, 43%• Disability insurance, 23%• Flex time, 5%• CE tuition reimbursement, 76%• Childcare, 1%Wyoming
Who they were: Four responses. Two work at least four days a week.The pay: Three hourly rates were reported: $29.55, $30, and $40.The benefits received: (out of two responses)• Health insurance, two• Employer contribution toward retirement, two• Paid vacation and holidays, two• Paid sick leave, two• Life insurance, one• Dental insurance, zero• Disability insurance, zero• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, zero• Childcare, zero
Who they were: 13 responses. Nine have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. Nine work at least four days a week, and nine also reported earning hourly rates.The pay: The average hourly rate is $21.98. Three reported an hourly rate of $22. $25 was the highest rate reported, and $18.10 was the lowest.The benefits received: (out of nine responses)• Health insurance, four• Employer contribution toward retirement, eight• Paid vacation and holidays, 10 • Paid sick leave, 10 • Life insurance, four• Dental insurance, three• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, nine • Childcare, oneAlaska
Who they were: 11 responses. Eight have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. Eight work at least four days a week, and six also reported earning hourly rates; the other pay schedules were divided between an annual salary or commission. The pay: The average hourly rate is $42.85. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “50% of production,” “40% of production to include X-rays but not the doctor exam done in the hygiene operatory.”The benefits received: (out of nine responses)• Health insurance, six• Employer contribution toward retirement, seven• Paid vacation and holidays, seven• Paid sick leave, five• Life insurance, four• Dental insurance, six• Disability insurance, three• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, seven • Childcare, zeroArizona
Who they were: 50 responses. 60% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 57% work at least four days a week, and 74% report earning hourly rates, and 24% report earning production-based pay. 76% indicated that they work in the Phoenix metropolitan area.The pay: The average hourly rate is $39.23. The most common hourly rates reported were $40 and $38. The highest rate was $50, and the lowest was $32. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “approximately 35% to 40% of production,” “percent of each production based on units; each service has a different unit,” “one office is 50% of everything; other office is 20% per quad of root planning, and 20% per patient for anesthetizing patients for the doctor,” “35% of collections, 1% on treatment diagnosed and completed on my patients (found during the doctor exam at hygiene appointment),” and “50% for hygiene, 20% for radiographs.”The benefits received: (out of 42 responses)• Health insurance, 45%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 48%• Paid vacation and holidays, 81%• Paid sick leave, 29%• Life insurance, 12%• Dental insurance, 21%• Disability insurance, 5%• Flex time, 2%• CE tuition reimbursement, 43%• Childcare, 0%Arkansas
Who they were: 16 responses. Nine have practiced dental hygiene for fewer than 10 years. Thirteen work at least four days a week, and the rates of pay reported were evenly divided between hourly, daily, and commission-based rates.The pay: The average hourly rate is $35.65; however, the majority of responses were at least $38 an hour, but were weighted down by multiple reports of $30 an hour. The average daily rate is $313. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “40% of everything,” “33% on two days and 40% on two days (multiple offices),” “25% over $1,000 on daily production,” “30% of all hygiene procedures including exams, X-rays, and sealants,” “9% of SRP, perio maintenance, and products sold,” “40% of the gross.”The benefits received: (out of 14 responses)• Health insurance, four• Employer contribution toward retirement, six• Paid vacation and holidays, 11• Paid sick leave, two• Life insurance, two• Dental insurance, three• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, five• Childcare, zeroCalifornia
Who they were: 157 responses. 46% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 58% work at least four days a week, and daily rates of pay were reported 52% of the time, compared to hourly rates (36%) and commission-based pay (12%). 61% of the responses came from either the Los Angeles, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, or San Diego metropolitan areas.The pay: 115 daily rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average daily rate is $403. The most common daily rates were $400 (16%), $350 (9%), $375 (8%), and $425 (7%). The highest reported daily rate was $534; the lowest was $245.89 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate is $48.08. The most common hourly rates were $50 (12%) and $45 (11%). In addition, 18% were in $47 to $48 range. The highest hourly rate was $65, and the lowest was $28.13.The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “60% of my production,” “40% of prophys and X-rays,” “50% of prophys, X-rays, SRP, perio maintenance, sealants, and fluoride,” “45% of hygiene and X-ray production,” “40% of all prophys, fluorides, and X-rays that I do,” and “I get a set portion for each thing I do, which ranges from 30% to 50%, depending on what it is.”The benefits received: (out of 103 responses)• Health insurance, 49%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 59%• Paid vacation and holidays, 68%• Paid sick leave, 42%• Life insurance, 13%• Dental insurance, 35%• Disability insurance, 12%• Flex time, 7%• CE tuition reimbursement, 52%• Childcare, 1%Colorado
Who they were: 50 responses. 56% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 58% work at least four days a week, and 84% reported income based on hourly rates. 60% said they work in the Denver metropolitan area.The pay: 54 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate is $40.01. The most common hourly rates were $42 (17%) and $40 (11%). In addition, 19% were in $38 to $39 an hour range. The highest hourly rate was $55, and the lowest was $29. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “50% per procedure done (prophy, exam, X-rays, etc.)” and “quarterly commission based on entire office's production and collection.”The benefits received: (out of 43 responses)• Health insurance, 56%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 61%• Paid vacation and holidays, 81%• Paid sick leave, 35%• Life insurance, 16%• Dental insurance, 30%• Disability insurance, 12%• Flex time, 7%• CE tuition reimbursement, 56%• Childcare, 0%Connecticut
Who they were: 26 responses. 69% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 56% work at least four days a week, and 88% reported income based on hourly rates. Only one response was from the New York City metropolitan area.The pay: 24 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate is $37.90; 33% earn $38 to $39 an hour. The highest hourly rate was $48.60, and the lowest was $31. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “25% of amount over daily goal,” “35% of production,” and “bonus based on quarterly hygiene production. The amount is the difference between what I already have been paid to equal one third production.”The benefits received: (out of 19 responses)• Health insurance, 53%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 53%• Paid vacation and holidays, 84%• Paid sick leave, 47%• Life insurance, 21%• Dental insurance, 21%• Disability insurance, 26%• Flex time, 5%• CE tuition reimbursement, 68%• Childcare, 0%Delaware
Who they were: Three responses. All three have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. One works four days a week, while the other two work three days week. All three reported earning an hourly rate.The pay: The three hourly rates ranged from $33.25 to $34.65.The benefits received: (out of three responses)• Health insurance, one• Employer contribution toward retirement, two• Paid vacation and holidays, three• Paid sick leave, two• Life insurance, one• Dental insurance, one• Disability insurance, one• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, three• Childcare, zeroFlorida
Who they were: 98 responses. 42% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 64% work at least four days a week, and 59% reported hourly rates as their primary pay schedule, compared to daily rates (14%) and commission-based pay (15%). 30% indicated that they work in either the Miami or Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan areas.The pay: 74 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate was $30.42. The most common hourly rate was $30 (23%); however, 27% were equally divided between $35, $32, $31, and $28 an hour. The highest reported hourly rate was $43.50; the lowest was $15.17 daily rates were reported, and the average daily rate was $250.55. 82% reported daily rates above $230 a day.The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included, “$250 a day or 30% of my production over $900. I usually average around $400 a day,” “33% on all hygiene related services that I perform,” “I basically have a set salary of $30 an hour or I get 30% of my production, whichever is higher, for each pay period,” “29% of everything done out of my operatory,” and “$310 base pay and commission up to 31%.”The benefits received: (out of 73 responses)• Health insurance, 58%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 55%• Paid vacation and holidays, 93%• Paid sick leave, 44%• Life insurance, 21%• Dental insurance, 26%• Disability insurance, 12%• Flex time, 6%• CE tuition reimbursement, 32%• Childcare, 0%Georgia
Who they were: 45 responses. 67% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 72% work at least four days a week, and 71% reported income based on hourly rates. 60% indicated that they work in the Atlanta metropolitan area.The pay: 31 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate is $34.58. The most common hourly rates were $40 and $35. 19% earn $35 to $37 an hour, and 29% earn less than $32 an hour. The highest hourly rate was $46.65, and the lowest was $23.34. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “35% of collections,” “35% of production or a minimum of $230,” “33% of production,” “32% of production above goal amount,” and “33%, plus about $100 to $200 a month in bonuses.”The benefits received: (out of 40 responses)• Health insurance, 45%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 60%• Paid vacation and holidays, 93%• Paid sick leave, 55%• Life insurance, 8%• Dental insurance, 20%• Disability insurance, 8%• Flex time, 0%• CE tuition reimbursement, 45%• Childcare, 0%Hawaii
Who they were: Eight responses. Six have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. Five work at least four days a week.The pay: Seven hourly rates ranged from $36 to $42.25.The benefits received: (out of seven responses)• Health insurance, six• Employer contribution toward retirement, five• Paid vacation and holidays, six• Paid sick leave, two• Life insurance, three• Dental insurance, five• Disability insurance, one• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, four• Childcare, zeroIdaho
Who they were: 12 responses. Eight have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. Six work at least four days a week.The pay: The 11 hourly rates reported ranged from $29.50 to $40. Five were in the $35 to $37 an hour range.The benefits received: (out of 11 responses)• Health insurance, five• Employer contribution toward retirement, nine• Paid vacation and holidays, eight• Paid sick leave, five• Life insurance, one• Dental insurance, one• Disability insurance, zero• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, eight• Childcare, zeroIllinois
Who they were: 84 responses. 54% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 63% work at least four days a week, and 81% reported hourly rates as their primary pay schedule, but 10% reported commission-based pay. 68% indicated that they work in the Chicago or St. Louis metropolitan areas.The pay: 89 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate is $35.97. The most common hourly rates were $38 (14%) and $35 (11%); however, 13% earned $39 to $40 an hour. The highest reported hourly rate was $72; the lowest was $20.26.The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “20% of certain procedures,” “$20 an hour, plus 10% of production,” “34% of hygiene production, and 1% of doctor’s production,” and “25% of what is produced in my room.”The benefits received: (out of 67 responses)• Health insurance, 33%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 66%• Paid vacation and holidays, 82%• Paid sick leave, 34%• Life insurance, 12%• Dental insurance, 25%• Disability insurance, 6%• Flex time, 8%• CE tuition reimbursement, 52%• Childcare, 0%Indiana
Who they were: 35 responses. 66% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 53% work at least four days a week, and 74% reported income based on hourly rates. 48% indicated that they work in either the Chicago or Indianapolis metropolitan areas.The pay: 31 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate was $33.60. 32% earned hourly rates ranging from $34 to $37. The highest hourly rate was $50, and the lowest was $19. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included, “42% of all hygiene intake,” “I earn half of everything I do,” “50% of cleanings and root planning, and 25% of fluoride, X-rays, and sealants,” and “39% of hygiene treatment including fee for doctor exam.”The benefits received: (out of 30 responses)• Health insurance, 20%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 70%• Paid vacation and holidays, 80%• Paid sick leave, 37%• Life insurance, 13%• Dental insurance, 30%• Disability insurance, 10%• Flex time, 7%• CE tuition reimbursement, 43%• Childcare, 0%Iowa
Who they were: 23 responses. 87% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 77% work at least four days a week, and 87% reported income based on hourly rates. The pay: 21 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate is $32.58. 38% earned hourly rates ranging from $33.76 to $35.25. The highest hourly rate was $39, and the lowest was $25.The benefits received: (out of 22 responses)• Health insurance, 41%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 77%• Paid vacation and holidays, 96%• Paid sick leave, 64%• Life insurance, 18%• Dental insurance, 32%• Disability insurance, 18%• Flex time, 14%• CE tuition reimbursement, 68%• Childcare, 5%KansasWho they were: 21 responses. 57% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 76% work at least four days a week, and 81% reported income based on hourly rates. The pay: 19 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate was $33.27. The most common hourly rate was $30 (32%). However, another 32% earned hourly rates ranging from $36 to $38. The highest hourly rate was $41.25, and the lowest was $29. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “45% of collections,” “30% over a daily goal,” and “has been 30% of total production, but recently was reduced to 28%, effective in October.”The benefits received: (out of 19 responses)• Health insurance, 42%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 79%• Paid vacation and holidays, 90%• Paid sick leave, 21%• Life insurance, 5%• Dental insurance, 16%• Disability insurance, 11%• Flex time, 11%• CE tuition reimbursement, 47%• Childcare, 0%KentuckyWho they were: 13 responses. Ten have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. Five work at least four days a week.The pay: The 12 hourly rates reported consisted of seven ranging from $25 to $28 an hour, and five ranging from $30 to $35 an hour.The benefits received: (out of 12 responses)• Health insurance, four• Employer contribution toward retirement, three• Paid vacation and holidays, eight• Paid sick leave, two• Life insurance, two• Dental insurance, three• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, three• CE tuition reimbursement, seven• Childcare, zeroLouisianaWho they were: 18 responses. Nine have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. Thirteen work at least four days a week, and nine reported income based on daily rates. The pay: Nine of the 11 daily rates reported (including four from hygienists working in multiple offices) ranged from $270 to $325 a day. Eight of 11 hourly rates ranged from $32 to $38 an hour.The benefits received: (out of 16 responses)• Health insurance, 19%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 69%• Paid vacation and holidays, 81%• Paid sick leave, 25%• Life insurance, 6%• Dental insurance, 13%• Disability insurance, 19%• Flex time, 6%• CE tuition reimbursement, 38%• Childcare, 0%Maine
Who they were: Nine responses. All nine have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. Six work at least four days a week.The pay: Seven hourly rates ranged from $27.25 to $35.The benefits received: (out of eight responses)• Health insurance, four• Employer contribution toward retirement, seven• Paid vacation and holidays, eight• Paid sick leave, four• Life insurance, two• Dental insurance, two• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, one• CE tuition reimbursement, eight• Childcare, zeroMarylandWho they were: 28 responses. 54% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 79% work at least four days a week, and 70% reported income based on hourly rates. 71% said they work in either the Washington, D.C., or Baltimore metropolitan areas. The pay: 23 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists working in multiple offices, and the average hourly rate was $41.07; 43% of the respondents reported earning rates of $40, $43, or $45. The benefits received: (out of 22 responses)• Health insurance, 55%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 64%• Paid vacation and holidays, 86%• Paid sick leave, 64%• Life insurance, 14%• Dental insurance, 36%• Disability insurance, 9%• Flex time, 5%• CE tuition reimbursement, 46%• Childcare, 0%MassachusettsWho they were: 39 responses. 67% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 63% work at least four days a week, and 88% reported income based on hourly rates. 49% indicated that they work in the Boston metropolitan area. The pay: 42 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate was $38.53. The most common hourly rates reported were $40 and $41 (24%). However, 26% reported rates in the $36.50 to $38.50 range. The highest hourly rate was $46.50, and the lowest was $28.85. The benefits received: (out of 38 responses)• Health insurance, 58%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 58%• Paid vacation and holidays, 84%• Paid sick leave, 47%• Life insurance, 18%• Dental insurance, 32%• Disability insurance, 18%• Flex time, 3%• CE tuition reimbursement, 68%• Childcare, 0%Michigan
Who they were: 100 responses. 48% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 46% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 89% of the time. 32% indicated that they work in the Detroit metropolitan area.The pay: 104 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate was $29.38. The most common hourly rates were $28 (11%), $30 (10%), $31 (9%), and $27 (9%). In addition, 20% earn more than $32 an hour, and another 20% earn less than $27 an hour. The highest hourly rate was $40, and the lowest was $17.50.The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included, “I get 33% of what I produce” and “22% of total production.”The benefits received: (out of 89 responses)• Health insurance, 34%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 56%• Paid vacation and holidays, 84%• Paid sick leave, 34%• Life insurance, 11%• Dental insurance, 20%• Disability insurance, 11%• Flex time, 5%• CE tuition reimbursement, 61%• Childcare, 0%MinnesotaWho they were: 30 responses. 73% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 72% work at least four days a week, and 74% reported income based on hourly rates. 37% said they work in the Minneapolis metropolitan area.The pay: 25 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate was $32.91. Overall, the rates were evenly distributed between a high of $40 and a low of $25. However, 32% of the hourly rates fell in the $33 to $35 range. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “30% of the difference between salary and production,” “32% of production for hygiene,” and “33% of collected production, so usually around 25% of gross production.”The benefits received: (out of 38 responses)• Health insurance, 44%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 70%• Paid vacation and holidays, 96%• Paid sick leave, 56%• Life insurance, 22%• Dental insurance, 44%• Disability insurance, 11%• Flex time, 7%• CE tuition reimbursement, 52%• Childcare, 0%MississippiWho they were: Five responses. Two have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. Four work at least four days a week.The pay: Four hourly rates were reported: $25, $27, $32, and $32.50. Five daily rates were reported: $200, $210, $215, $225, and $245.The benefits received: (out of eight responses)• Health insurance, zero• Employer contribution toward retirement, two• Paid vacation and holidays, two• Paid sick leave, one• Life insurance, zero• Dental insurance, zero• Disability insurance, one• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, two• Childcare, zeroMissouriWho they were: 54 responses. 61% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 80% work at least four days a week, and 71% reported income based on hourly rates. 63% said they work in the St. Louis or Kansas City metropolitan areas.The pay: 42 hourly rates were reported, and the average hourly rate was $32.57. The most common hourly rate was $32 (19%); however, 21% reported earning either $33 or $34 an hour. The highest hourly rate was $45, and the lowest was $25. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “30% of production,” “$20 an hour plus 35% production over $480 a day,” “40% above a daily goal of $650,” and “26% of daily production.”The benefits received: (out of 48 responses)• Health insurance, 42%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 54%• Paid vacation and holidays, 88%• Paid sick leave, 38%• Life insurance, 15%• Dental insurance, 25%• Disability insurance, 17%• Flex time, 4%• CE tuition reimbursement, 56%• Childcare, 0%MontanaWho they were: Seven responses. Five have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and five work at least four days a week.The pay: Six hourly rates were reported: $25, $26, $31, $31.69, $32, and $32. The benefits received: (out of seven responses)• Health insurance, five• Employer contribution toward retirement, five• Paid vacation and holidays, five• Paid sick leave, three• Life insurance, three• Dental insurance, four• Disability insurance, one• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, four• Childcare, zeroNebraskaWho they were: 10 responses. Nine have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and five work at least four days a week.The pay: Nine hourly rates were reported: $26.50, $28, $29, $29.50, $30, $31, $32, $33, and $36. The benefits received: (out of eight responses)• Health insurance, two• Employer contribution toward retirement, six• Paid vacation and holidays, six• Paid sick leave, six• Life insurance, one• Dental insurance, one• Disability insurance, one• Flex time, one• CE tuition reimbursement, five• Childcare, zeroNevadaWho they were: 16 responses. Eleven have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. Nine work at least four days a week, and 10 reported income based on hourly rates. The pay: 15 hourly rates were reported (including hygienists who work for multiple offices). The average hourly rate is $41.93; seven of the rates reported were either $40 an hour or $42 an hour. $50 was the highest rate; $36 was the lowest rate. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “60% of hygiene production” and “65% of hygiene production.”The benefits received: (out of 11 responses)• Health insurance, seven• Employer contribution toward retirement, six• Paid vacation and holidays, 10• Paid sick leave, six• Life insurance, two• Dental insurance, two• Disability insurance, one• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, six• Childcare, zeroNew HampshireWho they were: 12 responses. Six have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years, and six work at least four days a week.The pay: 12 hourly rates were reported, ranging from $30 to $39.82. The average is $36.95.The benefits received: (out of nine responses)• Health insurance, five• Employer contribution toward retirement, seven• Paid vacation and holidays, eight• Paid sick leave, five• Life insurance, two• Dental insurance, four• Disability insurance, three• Flex time, one• CE tuition reimbursement, eight• Childcare, zeroNew JerseyWho they were: 48 responses. 64% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 57% work at least four days a week, and 96% reported income based on hourly rates. 42% indicated that they work in the New York City or Philadelphia metropolitan areas.The pay: 56 hourly rates were reported (including from hygienists employed in multiple offices), and the average hourly rate was $39. The most common hourly rates were $40 (16%) and $35 (14%). The highest hourly rate was $50, and the lowest was $30. The benefits received: (out of 40 responses)• Health insurance, 53%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 50%• Paid vacation and holidays, 80%• Paid sick leave, 50%• Life insurance, 10%• Dental insurance, 13%• Disability insurance, 5%• Flex time, 0%• CE tuition reimbursement, 40%• Childcare, 3%New MexicoWho they were: 14 responses. Nine have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and 11 work at least four days a week.The pay: The eight hourly rates reported were $30, $34, $35, $36.50, $38.64, $40 (twice), and $46.The benefits received: (out of 13 responses)• Health insurance, eight• Employer contribution toward retirement, 12• Paid vacation and holidays, 13• Paid sick leave, 10• Life insurance, four• Dental insurance, four• Disability insurance, six• Flex time, two• CE tuition reimbursement, 11• Childcare, oneNew YorkWho they were: 79 responses. 52% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 63% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 89% of the time. 29% said they work in the New York City metropolitan area.The pay: 86 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate is $34.04. Because of the presence of New York City vs. rural parts of the state, hourly rates ranged from $20 to $55. The most common hourly rate was $40 (11%). But the variety of rates reported included $28 (6%), $30 (7%), $31 (6%), $35 (7%), $37 (6%) and $38 (7%). All of those six percents and seven percents add up to 39%, more than a third of the state’s hygienists. It very much depends on where you live. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, New York City and its 29% influence on the results of this survey will be evaluated in another issue.The benefits received: (out of 66 responses)• Health insurance, 53%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 68%• Paid vacation and holidays, 86%• Paid sick leave, 52%• Life insurance, 9%• Dental insurance, 32%• Disability insurance, 27%• Flex time, 3%• CE tuition reimbursement, 58%• Childcare, 0%North CarolinaWho they were: 61 responses. 56% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 78% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 57% of the time.The pay: 44 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate was $32.70. The most common hourly rates reported were $33 (16%) and $35 (14%). The highest hourly rate was $44; the lowest was $20. In addition, 27% of the hourly rates were between $30 and $32. North Carolina hygienists also reported nine daily rates, ranging from $354 on the high end to $200 on the low end. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included, “earn 25% of my production over $800 per day” and “32% of my production only.”The benefits received: (out of 51 responses)• Health insurance, 71%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 69%• Paid vacation and holidays, 94%• Paid sick leave, 55%• Life insurance, 24%• Dental insurance, 26%• Disability insurance, 18%• Flex time, 12%• CE tuition reimbursement, 69%• Childcare, 0%North DakotaWho they were: Eight responses. Six have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and seven work at least four days a week.The pay: Five hourly rates were reported: $26.40, $29, $32.50, $35, and $37.The benefits received: (out of eight responses)• Health insurance, three• Employer contribution toward retirement, seven• Paid vacation and holidays, eight• Paid sick leave, six• Life insurance, two• Dental insurance, one• Disability insurance, zero• Flex time, one• CE tuition reimbursement, six• Childcare, zeroOhio
Who they were: 77 responses. 53% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 66% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 79% of the time.The pay: 78 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate was $30.53. 23% earn $35 an hour or more, $40.23 being the highest rate reported; 19% earned between $31 and $33.50 an hour; the most common rate was $30 (9%); and 40% earned between $23 and $29 an hour. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “25% of daily production goal,” “61% of prophys, fluoride, root planing, sealants and 10% of X-rays,” “33% of my production,” “40% of prophys, X-ray and fluoride treatment fees.”The benefits received: (out of 68 responses)• Health insurance, 38%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 66%• Paid vacation and holidays, 90%• Paid sick leave, 46%• Life insurance, 18%• Dental insurance, 25%• Disability insurance, 10%• Flex time, 6%• CE tuition reimbursement, 47%• Childcare, 0%Oklahoma
Who they were: 21 responses. Nine have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and 10 work at least four days a week.The pay: Nine daily rates were reported, ranging from $275 to $380 a day. The average was $315 a day. Five hourly rates were reported: $25, $36, $37.50, $40, and $41. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included, “in one office, I make 40%; the other office I am paid 50%,” “$275 per day or 30%, whichever is greatest from production,” “40% commission after a production rate of $450 ($195 base pay),” and “I receive 40% of everything that is produced in my operatory.”The benefits received: (out of 18 responses)• Health insurance, seven• Employer contribution toward retirement, 10• Paid vacation and holidays, 16• Paid sick leave, seven• Life insurance, one• Dental insurance, two• Disability insurance, one• Flex time, one• CE tuition reimbursement, eight• Childcare, zeroOregonWho they were: 32 responses. 75% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 63% work at least four days a week, and 77% reported income based on hourly rates. The pay: 30 hourly rates were reported (including from hygienists employed in multiple offices), and the average hourly rate is $36.37. The most common hourly rate was $40 (16%), but 70% earned less than $39 an hour; 23% earn between $34 and $36.50. The highest hourly rate was $43, and the lowest was $20. The benefits received: (out of 28 responses)• Health insurance, 68%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 71%• Paid vacation and holidays, 82%• Paid sick leave, 46%• Life insurance, 21%• Dental insurance, 54%• Disability insurance, 18%• Flex time, 21%• CE tuition reimbursement, 79%• Childcare, 7%Pennsylvania
Who they were: 70 responses. 55% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 70% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 82% of the time. 36% said they work in either the Philadelphia or Pittsburgh metropolitan areas.The pay: 74 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate is $29.70. The most common hourly rate was $30 (10%). However, 23% earned between $34 and $37, 16% earned $27 to $28 an hour, and 23% earned $26 an hour or less, which is likely a conflict of pay scales between the larger cities and more rural areas. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh will be profiled in a later issue. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included, “33% of hygiene production, exams included” and “37% of prophys, X-rays, and sealants.”The benefits received: (out of 54 responses)• Health insurance, 48%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 59%• Paid vacation and holidays, 80%• Paid sick leave, 39%• Life insurance, 17%• Dental insurance, 30%• Disability insurance, 20%• Flex time, 6%• CE tuition reimbursement, 61%• Childcare, 0%Rhode Island
Who they were: Nine responses. Six have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and five work at least four days a week.The pay: Eleven hourly rates were reported: $27, $30, $31 (twice), $32, $34, $35 (twice), $36, $37, and $40.The benefits received: (out of eight responses)• Health insurance, five• Employer contribution toward retirement, five• Paid vacation and holidays, eight• Paid sick leave, zero• Life insurance, zero• Dental insurance, zero• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, three• Childcare, zeroSouth CarolinaWho they were: 20 responses. Thirteen have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and 14 work at least four days a week.The pay: 19 hourly rates were reported, and the average rate was $28.64. Five earned $30 to $30.50, and six earned $26 to $27.50. The highest rate reported was $40, and $20 was the lowest.The benefits received: (out of 16 responses)• Health insurance, six• Employer contribution toward retirement, eight• Paid vacation and holidays, 15• Paid sick leave, eight• Life insurance, five• Dental insurance, four• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, three• CE tuition reimbursement, six• Childcare, zeroSouth Dakota
Who they were: Six responses. Five have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years, and five work at least four days a week.The pay: Four hourly rates were reported: $30.50, $31, $33, and $34.The benefits received: (out of six responses)• Health insurance, five• Employer contribution toward retirement, six• Paid vacation and holidays, six• Paid sick leave, four• Life insurance, one• Dental insurance, two• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, six• Childcare, zeroTennessee
Who they were: 24 responses. 54% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 65% work at least four days a week, and 44% reported income based on hourly rates. The pay: Nine hourly rates were reported: $30 (twice) $34, $35, $35.50, $38 (twice), $38.85, and $39. Seven daily rates were reported: $240, $250, $256, $285 (twice), $320, and $325. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included, “50% commission,” “production x 65% = ___ x 35% = my pay,” and “30% over daily goal of $845. We do not count exams in our daily production, they go on doctor’s.”The benefits received: (out of 23 responses)• Health insurance, 35%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 61%• Paid vacation and holidays, 83%• Paid sick leave, 35%• Life insurance, 17%• Dental insurance, 9%• Disability insurance, 4%• Flex time, 4%• CE tuition reimbursement, 57%• Childcare, 0%Texas
Who they were: 94 responses. 51% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years. 70% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 56% of the time. 63% of the responses came from either the Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston metropolitan areas.The pay: 61 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate was $36.34. The most common hourly rates were $35 (15%) and $38 (13%). In addition, 13% earned either $39 or $40 an hour, and 18% earned either $36 or $37 an hour. Overall, 62% earned $35 to $40 an hour. The highest hourly rate reported was $50, and the lowest was $23.50.Texans also reported 22 daily rates, ranging from $224 to $380. The average was $274 a day. The brief descriptions of commission-based pay included “one third of production,” “40% of hygiene production not including exam,” “$250 a day or 40% of production,” “31% of anything that I produce: exams, X-rays, prophys, sealants, SRP, bleaching, products sold, etc.” “50% of hygiene procedures, 25% of X-rays,” and “38% of all X-rays, exam, prophys and scaling.”The benefits received: (out of 54 responses)• Health insurance, 31%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 58%• Paid vacation and holidays, 85%• Paid sick leave, 49%• Life insurance, 16%• Dental insurance, 21%• Disability insurance, 16%• Flex time, 8%• CE tuition reimbursement, 56%• Childcare, 1%Utah
Who they were: 13 responses. Eight have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and eight work at least four days a week.The pay: 10 hourly rates were reported: $30, $31, $32 (four times), $33, $36, $38, $39The benefits received: (out of 11 responses)• Health insurance, four• Employer contribution toward retirement, six• Paid vacation and holidays, seven• Paid sick leave, five• Life insurance, two• Dental insurance, four• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, eight• Childcare, zeroVermont
Who they were: 7 responses. All seven have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years, and five work at least four days a week.The pay: Five hourly rates were reported: $32, $32.51, $34.56, $35, and $37.The benefits received: (out of seven responses)• Health insurance, four• Employer contribution toward retirement, six• Paid vacation and holidays, six• Paid sick leave, four• Life insurance, two• Dental insurance, three• Disability insurance, two• Flex time, one• CE tuition reimbursement, five• Childcare, zeroVirginia
Who they were: 51 responses. 73% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 65% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 73% of the time. 28% said they work in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.The pay: 47 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate was $41. On the high end of the pay scale, 34% earn $44 to $54 an hour; however, 40% reported hourly rates ranging from $34 to $40. Nine daily rates were reported, ranging from $251 to $400, and the average daily rate is $328.The benefits received: (out of 46 responses)• Health insurance, 44%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 63%• Paid vacation and holidays, 96%• Paid sick leave, 35%• Life insurance, 0%• Dental insurance, 22%• Disability insurance, 0%• Flex time, 2%• CE tuition reimbursement, 59%• Childcare, 0%WashingtonWho they were: 58 responses. 67% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 68% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 95% of the time. 38% said they work in the Seattle metropolitan area.The pay: 64 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate was $42.96. The most common hourly rate was $42 (95). 16% earn $45 to $46.60, and 11% earn $50 an hour or more ($62 was the highest rate reported). On the lower end of the pay scale, 17% earn $36 to $38.50 ($33 was the lowest rate reported).The benefits received: (out of 50 responses)• Health insurance, 58%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 74%• Paid vacation and holidays, 86%• Paid sick leave, 46%• Life insurance, 12%• Dental insurance, 38%• Disability insurance, 12%• Flex time, 6%• CE tuition reimbursement, 64%• Childcare, 0%West Virginia
Who they were: Six responses. Three have practiced dental hygiene for more than 20 years, and three have practiced for less than five years. Four work at least four days a week.The pay: Five hourly rates were reported: $19.75, $20, $22, $25, and $26. The two daily rates reported were $184 and $198. The benefits received: (out of five responses)• Health insurance, two• Employer contribution toward retirement, two• Paid vacation and holidays, five• Paid sick leave, two• Life insurance, one• Dental insurance, zero• Disability insurance, zero• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, three• Childcare, zeroWisconsin
Who they were: 80 responses. 66% have practiced dental hygiene for more than 10 years. 63% work at least four days a week, and hourly rates of pay were reported 87% of the time.The pay: 82 hourly rates were reported, including from hygienists who work in multiple offices. The average hourly rate was $29.50. The most common hourly rates were $30 (10%) and $27 (9%). In addition, 13% earned $34 to $36.60 an hour, 20% earn $28 to $29.50 an hour, and 11% earn $24 to $26.50 an hour. The highest hourly rate reported was $37.15, and the lowest was $21.The benefits received: (out of 74 responses)• Health insurance, 46%• Employer contribution toward retirement, 82%• Paid vacation and holidays, 89%• Paid sick leave, 46%• Life insurance, 27%• Dental insurance, 43%• Disability insurance, 23%• Flex time, 5%• CE tuition reimbursement, 76%• Childcare, 1%Wyoming
Who they were: Four responses. Two work at least four days a week.The pay: Three hourly rates were reported: $29.55, $30, and $40.The benefits received: (out of two responses)• Health insurance, two• Employer contribution toward retirement, two• Paid vacation and holidays, two• Paid sick leave, two• Life insurance, one• Dental insurance, zero• Disability insurance, zero• Flex time, zero• CE tuition reimbursement, zero• Childcare, zero
