There are currently an estimated 207,900 dental hygienists in the United States. The dental hygienist job market is expected to grow by 19.7% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are dental hygienists?
CareerExplorer rates dental hygienists with a B+ employability rating, meaning this career should provide good employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 43,200 dental hygienists. That number is based on 41,000 additional dental hygienists, and the retirement of 2,200 existing dental hygienists.
What’s the supply of dental hygienists?
The dental hygienist industry is concentrated in California, Texas, New York
Dental Hygienist job market by state
| State Name | Employed Dental Hygienists |
|---|---|
| California | 22,840 |
| Texas | 13,600 |
| New York | 11,050 |
| Florida | 10,320 |
| Michigan | 10,090 |
| Illinois | 9,510 |
| Pennsylvania | 9,480 |
| Ohio | 8,600 |
| Georgia | 6,580 |
| North Carolina | 6,260 |
| Washington | 6,160 |
| New Jersey | 5,710 |
| Massachusetts | 5,660 |
| Virginia | 5,430 |
| Minnesota | 5,090 |
| Wisconsin | 4,950 |
| Colorado | 4,900 |
| Indiana | 4,790 |
| Oregon | 3,900 |
| Tennessee | 3,860 |
| Connecticut | 3,770 |
| Missouri | 3,470 |
| Alabama | 3,390 |
| Maryland | 3,230 |
| Arizona | 2,870 |
| Utah | 2,730 |
| South Carolina | 2,670 |
| Kentucky | 2,460 |
| Oklahoma | 2,370 |
| Iowa | 2,320 |
| Kansas | 2,280 |
| Nevada | 2,190 |
| Louisiana | 1,930 |
| Idaho | 1,650 |
| Arkansas | 1,420 |
| Mississippi | 1,400 |
| Rhode Island | 1,290 |
| Nebraska | 1,280 |
| New Hampshire | 1,240 |
| Maine | 1,120 |
| West Virginia | 1,020 |
| New Mexico | 1,010 |
| Hawaii | 870 |
| Montana | 720 |
| Vermont | 720 |
| South Dakota | 680 |
| Delaware | 640 |
| North Dakota | 610 |
| Alaska | 530 |
| District of Columbia | 470 |
| Wyoming | 430 |
| Guam | 30 |