Trade Career Comparison

Which trade career fits you best?

Dental Hygienist

Clean teeth, examine patients for oral diseases, and provide preventive dental care. Educate patients on ways to improve and maintain good oral health.

$94,260/yr median

$66,470$120,060

Faster Than AvgModerateUnion: LowEntry: Moderate

Training Path

Associate's degree in dental hygiene + state licensure (2 years)

Environment

Indoor

Outlook

Faster Than Avg (+7%)

BLS Code

29-1292

Pros

✓Excellent pay for a two-year degree — the median salary is around $94,000 a year, which puts dental hygienists among the highest-paid associate-degree professionals in healthcare.
✓Flexible scheduling is a real benefit. Many dental hygienists work part-time or at multiple offices, giving you control over your hours. This is especially valuable if you are balancing family responsibilities or pursuing further education.
✓Strong job outlook with 7% projected growth, driven by an aging population that needs more dental care and growing awareness of oral health's connection to overall health.
✓Clean, climate-controlled work environment — you work indoors in a dental office, which is a significant quality-of-life advantage over many trades that involve extreme temperatures or hazardous conditions.
✓High patient interaction and relationship-building — many patients see the same hygienist every six months for years, and those relationships can be genuinely rewarding.
✓Consistent demand across the country — every community needs dental hygienists, and the skills transfer easily if you move to a new area.

Cons

✗Getting into a dental hygiene program is very competitive — programs often have more applicants than slots, and you may need to complete prerequisites and maintain a high GPA to be accepted. Waitlists of a year or more are not uncommon.
✗The work is physically repetitive and hard on your body. You spend hours bent over patients' mouths, using fine motor skills with your hands in awkward positions. Carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, and back problems are occupational hazards that many hygienists develop over their careers.
✗Limited career advancement without additional education — there is no clear promotion ladder within hygiene itself. To significantly increase your scope or salary, you would need to pursue a bachelor's or master's degree, move into education, or change careers entirely.
✗Exposure to blood, saliva, and aerosols is constant. While personal protective equipment minimizes risk, you are working in people's mouths all day, and exposure to infectious diseases is a real occupational concern.
✗The work can become repetitive over time — cleanings, X-rays, assessments, patient education, repeat. Some hygienists find the lack of variety challenging after several years.

What the Life Is Like

A dental hygienist's day is structured around scheduled patient appointments, typically every 30-60 minutes. You arrive at the office, set up your operatory, and begin seeing patients. For each patient, you review their medical history, take X-rays if needed, perform a thorough cleaning (scaling and root planing), check for signs of gum disease or oral cancer, apply fluoride or sealants, and educate the patient on home care. Between patients, you sterilize instruments, update charts, and prepare for the next appointment.

Most dental offices operate Monday through Friday with some Saturday hours. Many hygienists work 3-4 days per week rather than 5, which is one of the profession's biggest draws. The pace is steady and predictable — you know how many patients you will see each day. The work culture in dental offices is generally collegial and small-team oriented. You work closely with dentists, dental assistants, and front office staff. A good office feels like a tight-knit team.

Physically, the demands are specific rather than heavy. You are not lifting patients or standing for 12 hours, but the repetitive fine motor work and the static postures take a toll. Ergonomics matter enormously in this career — invest in loupes (magnifying glasses), proper operator stools, and stretching routines early in your career. Many experienced hygienists deal with musculoskeletal issues, so preventive care for your own body is essential. Mentally, you need good communication skills and patience — you spend a lot of time educating patients who may not want to hear about flossing for the hundredth time.

How to Get Started

Complete prerequisite courses

Dental hygiene programs require prerequisites including anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, English, and college-level math. You can take these at a community college, often while working. Strong grades in these courses are essential because program admission is competitive.

Apply to an accredited dental hygiene program

Look for programs accredited by CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation). Most are associate degree programs at community colleges (2 years of clinical study after prerequisites), though some universities offer bachelor's degrees. Apply to multiple programs — admission is competitive with limited seats. Program costs range from $20,000-$50,000 depending on the school.

Complete your dental hygiene program (2-3 years)

The program combines classroom instruction (dental anatomy, pharmacology, periodontology, radiology) with extensive clinical practice on real patients in the school's dental clinic. Clinical hours are intensive — you will need to meet specific requirements for types of patients seen and procedures performed. This is a demanding full-time commitment.

Pass your licensing exams

You must pass both the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (a comprehensive written test) and a regional or state clinical exam where you perform procedures on a live patient while examiners observe and score you. Most states accept exams from regional testing agencies like CRDTS, WREB, or CDCA. Study seriously for the written board — it covers extensive content.

Get licensed in your state and apply for positions

Apply for your state license with your exam scores and school transcripts. Also get CPR certified (required everywhere). Then apply to dental offices — private practices, community health centers, and dental chains all hire hygienists. Starting hygienists are in demand in most markets. Negotiate your hourly rate — you have leverage in this field.

Invest in continuing education and ergonomics

Most states require continuing education credits to maintain your license. Use these to specialize in areas like periodontal therapy, local anesthesia (in states that allow it), or laser dentistry. Equally important: invest early in ergonomic equipment and body care. Take a course on proper positioning, get fitted loupes, and develop a stretching routine. Your career longevity depends on it.

Felony Record & Licensing

Often Restricted

State dental boards conduct background checks. Felony convictions — especially drug-related or violent — may prevent licensure. Some states have waiver processes.

This trade has significant barriers for people with felony convictions. Consider exploring more accessible alternatives like welding, solar installation, or construction.

Training Funding & Support

Pell Grants Are Available Again

As of July 2023, the FAFSA no longer asks about drug convictions. The FAFSA Simplification Act restored Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students. If a past drug conviction kept you from financial aid before, you can apply again.

WIOA Workforce Funding

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds free job training, career counseling, and supportive services (transportation, work clothes, childcare) for people reentering the workforce. Contact your local American Job Center (careeronestop.org) to see what's available in your area.

Ban-the-Box & Fair Chance Hiring

Over 37 states and 150+ cities have "ban-the-box" or fair chance hiring laws that prevent employers from asking about criminal history on job applications. Many require waiting until after an interview or conditional job offer. These laws are expanding rapidly — check your state's specific rules.

Licensing laws vary by state and change frequently. This is general guidance, not legal advice. Always verify with your state's licensing board before enrolling in a training program.

Data last verified March 2026 · View sources

We verify our data against official sources. Verification dates show when we last checked — they do not guarantee the information is still current. Laws, rates, and thresholds can change at any time. Always confirm critical information at the official source or with a qualified professional.

National Employment Law Project (NELP) — Fair Chance Hiring

General trade accessibility levels for people with felony convictions — categorized as generally-accessible, varies-by-state, often-restricted, or highly-restricted

https://www.nelp.org/policy-issue/criminal-records-and-employment/

Verified March 2026

trade-schools.net — Jobs for Felons

Trade accessibility and reentry employment guidance for specific trades

https://www.trade-schools.net/articles/jobs-for-felons

Verified March 2026

Hire Felons — Reentry Employment Guide

Employer reentry hiring policies and trade accessibility for people with felony convictions

https://www.hirefelons.org/

Verified March 2026

ASE — About ASE Testing

ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification — no criminal history screening

https://www.ase.com/certification-series/

Verified March 2026

OSHA — Powered Industrial Trucks

OSHA forklift certification — employer-provided, no criminal history screening

https://www.osha.gov/powered-industrial-trucks

Verified March 2026

EPA — Section 608 Technician Certification

EPA Section 608 refrigerant certification — no criminal history screening

https://www.epa.gov/section608

Verified March 2026

Federal Student Aid — FAFSA Simplification Act

Pell Grant eligibility restored for people with drug convictions and incarcerated individuals, effective July 1, 2023; PELL_GRANT_RESTORED_DATE: "July 2023"

FAFSA Simplification Act, Pub. L. 117-103 (2021); 20 U.S.C. § 1070a

https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-simplification

Verified March 2026

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) — Ban the Box Legislation

Ban-the-box and fair chance hiring laws — 37+ states + DC + 150+ localities as of 2026; BAN_THE_BOX_STATE_COUNT: 37; BAN_THE_BOX_CITY_COUNT: 150

https://www.ncsl.org/labor-and-employment/ban-the-box-legislation

Verified March 2026

NELP — Ban the Box: U.S. Cities, Counties, and States

Fair chance hiring law coverage — 37+ states + DC + 150+ localities; BAN_THE_BOX_PRIVATE_EMPLOYER_STATES: ["California", "Illinois", "New Jersey", "Washington"]

https://www.nelp.org/publication/ban-the-box-fair-chance-hiring-state-and-local-guide/

Verified March 2026

U.S. Department of Labor — Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO)

WIOA Section 169 workforce funding for reentry — job training, career counseling, and supportive services

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, 29 U.S.C. § 3224; WIOA Sec. 169

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/reentry

Verified March 2026

Legal Information Institute — 18 U.S.C. § 922

18 U.S.C. § 922(g) — federal prohibition on felons possessing firearms, effectively barring law enforcement careers

18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922

Verified March 2026