Dental Hygienist - Pay and progression
Kaiakuaku Niho
Pay
Most dental hygienists work on contract to one or more dentists, and are paid an hourly rate. They earn between $30 and $60 an hour, depending on location and experience. Dental hygienists in Auckland tend to earn more than those in other parts of New Zealand.
According to the 2006 Census, dental hygienists earned an average of $44,900 a year and worked an average of 32 hours per week. This includes full and part-time workers.
This information is provided as a guide only
Career Progression
The job of dental hygienist is relatively new in New Zealand, and dental hygienists are still discovering progression opportunities within the profession.
At present, most hygienists work for one or more dentists or dental specialists. Dental hygienists work in three main areas:
- general dentistry
- periodontics (the care of the gums)
- orthodontics.
Some dental hygienists specialise in one of those areas, others work in all three.
A small but growing number of dental hygienists are setting up their own practices. There are also opportunities for dental hygienists to work as academics at either the University of Otago or Auckland University of Technology.
Updated
November 2008
