Dental Hygienist in Nebraska

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

Median annual salary

$84,400

trending_down -10.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Nebraska.

engineering

1,400

Jobs (NE)

monitoring Strong

+7.0%

10-yr job growth

payments

$118

Licensing fees

schedule

2-4 years (education) + exam and application processing time

Time to complete

route How to become a dental hygienist in Nebraska

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Nebraska, applicants must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program, pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), and a regional clinical exam. Additionally, candidates must pass a Nebraska jurisprudence exam and hold a Healthcare Provider level CPR/BLS certification. The licensing body is the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Board of Dentistry, and the application fee is $118.0. As of April 14, 2025, Nebraska enacted the Dental and Dental Hygiene Compact, which will offer an additional pathway to licensure for eligible dental hygienists from other compact states once operational.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $63,280

25th percentile $81,690

50th (median) $84,400

75th percentile $92,080

90th (experienced) $94,820

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

checklist Nebraska requirements

Licensing body	Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, 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 (CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA, ADEX)
Application fee	$118
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	30.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age 19. Requires passing a jurisprudence exam. Requires Healthcare Provider level CPR/BLS certification with a practical skills component. Fingerprints are required for a background check. A minimum of 2 hours of continuing education per cycle must be in infection control. As of April 14, 2025, Nebraska enacted the Dental and Dental Hygiene Compact, which will offer an additional pathway to licensure for eligible dental hygienists from other compact states once operational.

Source: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, 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_circleNebraska 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 Nebraska? expand_more

To become a dental hygienist in Nebraska, you need to 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 (CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA, ADEX), and submit your application ($118 fee).

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

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

What is the average dental hygienist salary in Nebraska? expand_more

dental hygienists in Nebraska earn a median of $84,400 annually. This trails the $94,260 national median by 10%. Wages range from $63,280 (10th percentile) up to $94,820 (90th percentile).

How many months or years does dental hygienist certification take in Nebraska? expand_more

Expect to spend 2-4 years (education) + exam and application processing time from start to finish in Nebraska — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

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

License renewal in Nebraska requires completing 30.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.