Dental Hygienist: A High Paying Career with Just an Associate Degree

Are you looking for a high paying career with as little schooling as possible? If so, you may want to consider a career as a dental hygienist. With only a two year Associate Degree, you can become a dental hygienist and make up to $70,000 per year. The starting pay is high as well, coming close to $38,000 per year at the high end of the scale.

Opportunities for high paying careers in the medical and dental fields are growing every year. Employment opportunities for dental hygienists are one of the fastest growing and highest paying. Available jobs in this field far outnumber the job seekers. And the pay compensates well- the median salary for a dental hygienist is $63,000, and reaches up to $70,000 or more. Most of these jobs also provide other compensation as well. Paid vacations, health and dental insurance, bonuses and even commission pay in some instances.

Most dental hygienists start their career with an associate degree, but even that is not absolutely necessary to start in this field. Some dental hygienists receive only a certificate before beginning their career. A license, however, is required in all states through the National Board Dental Health Examination. There are also bachelor and master's degree programs for dental hygiene in several colleges and universities around the U.S., and continuing education courses for those wanting to improve their skills and career opportunities.

So what, exactly, is it that a dental hygienist does, you might be wondering. This occupation involves the majority of work that goes on in a dental office. The hygienist is the one who takes and processes x-rays, performs dental work such as root planing, making and placing fillings, injecting anesthetic, and applying fluoride to your teeth, among many other things. They clean teeth and remove stains, teach oral hygiene to patients, and remove sutures after healing from surgery or other procedures. A good bedside (or chair side) manner is a necessary component for the dental hygienist's vast array of skills, as they spend a good majority of their time catering to the apprehensive patient.

Most high paying jobs for dental hygienists are to be found in the private sector. Private dental practices are where you will find the majority of good job opportunities in this field. However, there are also good opportunities to be found for employment at public health facilities and dental health programs, hospitals, and research programs.

The employment opportunities and potential for a growth in pay as well should continue for the dental hygienist, as the market shows no signs of slowing down. Dentistry is a field that will always be a necessity, and as such, so will the need for a continuous supply of dental hygienists. And as this career is not a very popular one, the opportunities should continue to be wide open for those seeking employment as a dental hygienist.