Midwestern states, including Kansas, Iowa Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota
(excluding Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, which are detailed in separate listings for each state.)
Responses: 42
Most common hourly rates: $33 (18%), $36 (12%), $32 (9%), $35 (9%)
Comments about midwestern states:
- Kansas: I am approaching 45 years of hygiene. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work, because there was a need and the profession was not overcrowded. I did not move from office to office, but always stayed. I married 32 years ago and moved from the city to rural Kansas. I have worked in two offices in different towns. The need was great and have loved (and still do) providing the best hygiene possible to patients that have never had a hygienist clean their teeth.
- Kansas: Salaries are low in our area due to an overabundance of hygienists. I just got this new job which I was lucky to get. Was making $250 a day, $38 dollars less a day than I am now in same area of Manhattan, Kansas.
- Iowa: Like everywhere else, the number of applicants is abundant compared to the number of job opportunities. We haven't had a raise in four years, but I am happy to be employed full-time.
- I am on an advisory committee for the local community college. About 50% of 2013 graduates have a job that includes 1-5 days a week. There is still a 4-5 year applicant waiting list. Who is telling high school students there is a demand for hygienists and lack of supply? There is a need in the rural areas,Like everywhere else, the number of applicants is abundant compared to the number of job opportunities. We haven't had a raise in 4 years, but I am happy to be employed full-time.
- Iowa: I am on an advisory committee for the local community college. About 50% of 2013 graduates have a job, that includes 1-5 days a week. There is still a 4-5 year applicant waiting list. Who is telling high school students there is a demand for hygienists and lack of supply? There is a need in the rural areas and graduates are not moving the small towns to work. There are plenty of us, but we aren't evenly distributed throughout the state.
- Nebraska: My salary is a little higher then most, but my dentist allowed me to look at the numbers, present him with what I would like to be paid and we negotiated. If they let you view the numbers, you can come up with a reasonable compromise.
- North Dakota: We have too many schools in the area, making it very hard to find even part-time work.
- North Dakota: Although I have changed employers, my salary has not increased in 10 years. Cost of procedures that I do has nearly doubled. Too many hygienists, not enough jobs.
- North Dakota: Wages are declining for RDHs as RDA wages are increasing. In some offices, the wages for both professions are the same. It has become more common for an RDH to be hired as a dental assistant since the job market for RDHs is saturated here.
- North Dakota: We have a surplus of dental hygienists in North Dakota, which has brought the pay down. There is a shortage of dental assistants so new graduates of dental hygiene are working dental assisting jobs to get into the field.
