Dental Hygienist in Maryland

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MD. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$105,140

trending_up +11.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Maryland.

engineering

3,780

Jobs (MD)

monitoring Strong

+7.0%

10-yr job growth

payments

$275

Licensing fees

schedule

2-4 years (Associate's to Bachelor's)

Time to complete

route How to become a dental hygienist in Maryland

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Maryland, you must complete a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program, which typically takes 2-4 years. You'll need to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional or state-approved clinical examination (such as ADEX or CDCA-WREB-CITA), and the Maryland Jurisprudence Exam. The licensing body is the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners, and the initial application fee is $275. Maryland offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state applicants and is exploring an interstate compact for dental and dental hygiene licensure.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $97,110

25th percentile $100,640

50th (median) $105,140

75th percentile $109,840

90th (experienced) $119,110

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Maryland. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Maryland requirements

Licensing body	Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program
Exam	National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), the ADEX clinical exam, and the Maryland Jurisprudence Exam
Application fee	$275
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	30.0 hours per cycle
Notes	CPR certification is required and does not count towards CE hours. A 2-hour Board-approved course on abuse and neglect is required every other renewal cycle. Renewal is biennial on the licensee's birth month. Minimum age for dental hygienists is not explicitly stated, but dentists must be at least 18 years old.

Source: Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+7.0%

Faster than average

Annual openings

15,300

Nationwide per year

Total employment

221,600

Nationwide

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleMaryland license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+7.0%)

psychology

Wondering if a dental hygienist career is the right fit?

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a dental hygienist in Maryland? expand_more

In Maryland, becoming a dental hygienist requires you to complete the required education (Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program), pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), the ADEX clinical exam, and the Maryland Jurisprudence Exam, and submit your application ($275 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a dental hygienist in Maryland? expand_more

A state license is required in Maryland. Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners handles dental hygienist licensing — the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), the ADEX clinical exam, and the Maryland Jurisprudence Exam is part of the process.

What do dental hygienists earn in Maryland? expand_more

The median dental hygienist salary in Maryland is $105,140 per year. This exceeds the $94,260 national median by 12%. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $97,110, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $119,110.

How quickly can I become a dental hygienist in Maryland? expand_more

Most candidates in Maryland complete the process in 2-4 years (Associate's to Bachelor's), from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

What are the continuing education requirements for dental hygienists in Maryland? expand_more

To keep your license active, Maryland mandates 30.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.