What This Job Pays: dental hygienist

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October 1, 2006

What This Job Pays: dental hygienist

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Pay: The average pay for a dental hygienist in the Seattle area is $39.10 an hour, with most making from $35.25 to $43.38 an hour, according to PayScale, a Seattle company that tracks compensation and benefits.

Demand: This job is among the fastest-growing occupations, in response to increasing demand for dental care and the greater number of hygienists performing services previously done by dentists, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Need to know: Dental hygienists remove soft and hard deposits from teeth, teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene, and provide other preventive dental care. Hygienists examine patients' teeth and gums, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities. Most educational programs for dental hygienists grant an associate degree; others offer a certificate, bachelor's or master's degree. More than half of dental hygienists work part time, and flexible scheduling is a distinct feature of the job, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

PayScale, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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