Salary by City

• The three cities that employed the greatest number of dental hygienists were Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, with 1,470 employed at an annual median salary of $61,720; Cincinnati-Middletown, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana, with 1,360 employed at $65,540; and 1,190 employed in Columbus at $73,160. Median salaries in other Ohio cites included Dayton, at $62,390; Lima, at $53,480; Mansfield, at $58,670; Springfield, at $65,550; and Toledo, at $57,200.
  
  

Nonmetropolitan Salaries

• The BLS also reports that the median salaries in the nonmetropolitan areas of Ohio were West Northwestern Ohio, at $54,780; Eastern Ohio, at $57,430; Southern Ohio, at $51,980; and other nonmetropolitan areas at $63,080.
  
  

Comparison

• Ohio dental hygienist salaries were less that the national median salary of $67,340, with 50 percent earning between $55,620 and $79,990.
  
  

Considerations

• Becoming a dental hygienist requires completing a dental hygiene program. According to the BLS, in 2008, the Commission on Dental Accreditation accredited 301 dental hygiene programs, most of which granted an associate degree or certificate, which qualifies a hygienist to work in a dental office. Hygienists who want to work in research, teaching or clinical practice in public or school health programs generally need a bachelor's or master's degree.