Dental Hygienist in New Jersey

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

Median annual salary

$102,600

trending_up +8.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New Jersey.

engineering

6,030

Jobs (NJ)

monitoring Strong

+7.0%

10-yr job growth

payments

$75

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies (2-4 years for education, plus application processing time)

Time to complete

route How to become a dental hygienist in New Jersey

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in New Jersey, individuals must complete an Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program. Applicants must successfully pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), the ADEX dental hygiene examination (or another Board-approved regional clinical exam), and the New Jersey Jurisprudence Exam. The licensing body is the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, and a criminal history background check and CPR certification are also required.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $84,050

25th percentile $97,510

50th (median) $102,600

75th percentile $103,640

90th (experienced) $105,480

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

checklist New Jersey requirements

Licensing body	New Jersey State Board of Dentistry
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program
Exam	National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), the ADEX dental hygiene examination (or other Board-approved regional clinical exam), and the New Jersey Jurisprudence Exam
Application fee	$75
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	20.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age of 18 years old. Requires a criminal history background check and CPR certification. Renewal is by December 31 of odd-numbered years. If licensed in the first year of the biennial period, 10 CE hours are required for the first renewal. If licensed in the second year, CE is exempt for the first renewal. Reciprocity is possible for licensees from other states who meet specific criteria, including having a current license in good standing and having passed a comparable clinical examination. New Jersey is also considering joining the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact.

Source: New Jersey State 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_circleNew Jersey license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+7.0%)

psychology

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Frequently asked questions

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

To become a dental hygienist in New Jersey, 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), the ADEX dental hygiene examination (or other Board-approved regional clinical exam), and the New Jersey Jurisprudence Exam, and submit your application ($75 fee).

Does New Jersey require dental hygienist licensure? expand_more

A state license is required in New Jersey. New Jersey State Board of Dentistry handles dental hygienist licensing — the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), the ADEX dental hygiene examination (or other Board-approved regional clinical exam), and the New Jersey Jurisprudence Exam is part of the process.

How much does a dental hygienist make in New Jersey? expand_more

dental hygienists in New Jersey earn a median of $102,600 annually. This exceeds the $94,260 national median by 9%. The range spans from $84,050 at the entry level to $105,480 for top earners.

What's the timeline to become a dental hygienist in New Jersey? expand_more

The typical timeline in New Jersey is Varies (2-4 years for education, plus application processing time). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

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

New Jersey requires 20.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your dental hygienist license.