Dental Hygienist in Michigan

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

Median annual salary

$80,990

trending_down -14.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Michigan.

engineering

8,320

Jobs (MI)

monitoring Strong

+7.0%

10-yr job growth

payments

$99

Licensing fees

schedule

2-4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a dental hygienist in Michigan

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Michigan, applicants must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA), and the Michigan jurisprudence exam. Additionally, applicants must complete training in identifying victims of human trafficking and implicit bias, and hold current BLS or ACLS certification. The application fee is $98.80, and licenses are renewed every three years with continuing education requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $73,720

25th percentile $77,030

50th (median) $80,990

75th percentile $83,010

90th (experienced) $91,400

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

checklist Michigan requirements

Licensing body	Michigan Board of Dentistry
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program
Exam	National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA)
Application fee	$99
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Continuing education	36.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Requires passing the Michigan jurisprudence exam. Requires training in identifying victims of human trafficking (one-time). Requires implicit bias training (2 hours for initial licensure, 1 hour per year for renewal). Requires current Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification with a hands-on component. A criminal background check is required. Minimum age is not specified.

Source: Michigan Board of Dentistry

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

psychology

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a dental hygienist in Michigan? expand_more

The path to dental hygienist licensure in Michigan: complete the required education (Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program), pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA), and submit your application ($99 fee).

Is a dental hygienist license required in Michigan? expand_more

A state license is required in Michigan. Michigan Board of Dentistry handles dental hygienist licensing — the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA) is part of the process.

How much does a dental hygienist make in Michigan? expand_more

Michigan dental hygienists bring home a median salary of $80,990. This trails the $94,260 national median by 14%. Wages range from $73,720 (10th percentile) up to $91,400 (90th percentile).

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

The typical timeline in Michigan is 2-4 years. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What's required to renew a dental hygienist license in Michigan? expand_more

License renewal in Michigan requires completing 36.0 hours of continuing education on a 3.0-year cycle.