Dental Assisting and Hygiene
Health Professions · federal classification: Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $33,995 | $30,713 to $37,253 | 355 | 35% |
| Associate's Degree | $64,539 | $56,382 to $72,273 | 242 | 95% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $68,018 | $63,219 to $74,248 | 80 | 99% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +7% (2024 to 2034), about 99,500 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistants | $47,300 | +6.4% | 52,900 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $105,620 | +17.3% | 27,400 |
| Dental Hygienists | $94,260 | +7% | 15,300 |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | $48,310 | -4.7% | 3,900 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.