Dental Hygienist Salary in Australia: What You Can Expect to Earn
Find out the typical dental hygienist salary in Australia, including median earnings, award rates, and how it compares to the national average. Use our salary index to benchmark of
The median full-time dental hygienist salary in Australia is around $2,210 per week, giving a salary index of about 106 – above the national line of 100.
What is a dental hygienist salary in Australia?
When you're reading a job ad for a dental hygienist in Australia, the pay figure can be confusing. Is it a good offer? How does it stack up against what others earn? This guide explains the typical dental hygienist salary using the most recent public data, and shows you how to compare offers using the Salary Index.
Median earnings for dental hygienists
The best national snapshot comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, via Jobs and Skills Australia. For the combined group of Dental Hygienists, Technicians and Therapists, the median full-time weekly earnings are $2,210. That's before tax and salary sacrifice.
Annualised (52 weeks), that's about $114,920. On the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352, a dental hygienist salary sits at index 106 – above the national line.
Hourly rates and work patterns
The same data shows median hourly earnings of $55 for full-time workers. But only half of dental hygienists work full-time. Many work part-time or casually, so your actual weekly pay will depend on hours.
For example, a dental hygienist earning $55 per hour working 38 hours a week would take home $2,090 per week – close to the median. After tax and the 2% Medicare levy (using 2026–27 rates), that's roughly $1,685 per week or $87,626 per year.
Award minimums: the legal floor
Dental hygienists are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. Under Schedule B, a Health Professional employee with a Diploma (AQF Level 5) is entitled to minimum rates that increase with experience:
- 1st year: $32.44 per hour
- 2nd–3rd year: $34.44 per hour
- 4th–6th year: $37.53 per hour
- 7th year+: $40.56 per hour
These rates are effective from 1 October 2026 and include the 4.75% increase from the Annual Wage Review. Note that dental assistants have separate, lower rates under the same award – a dental hygienist is a different classification.
Most employers pay above award, especially in private practices. The median of $55 per hour is well above the top award rate of $40.56.
How the dental hygienist salary compares
To put the $114,920 median in context:
- National minimum wage (from 1 July 2026): $52,255 per year – index 48.2.
- Health care and social assistance industry average: index 97.8 (about $106,000).
- All occupations median: $1,852 per week (index 85.5).
So a dental hygienist typically earns more than the average health worker and well above the national minimum. The occupation's index of 106 is also higher than the all-occupations median.
State and territory differences
While occupation-specific state data isn't published, you can use the state index as a rough guide. For example, Western Australia has an overall index of 106.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. A dental hygienist in WA might earn more than the national median, but the difference is likely smaller than for some other occupations.
See our states page for more on regional pay differences.
What to look for in a job offer
When comparing a dental hygienist salary offer:
- Check the hours – Is it full-time, part-time, or casual? Casual rates include a 25% loading (e.g., $33.05 per hour on the national minimum wage).
- Look at the classification – Does the ad mention a level under the Health Professionals award? If so, compare to the award rates above.
- Consider super – From 1 July 2026, employers must pay 12% superannuation on top of your salary. That's an extra $13,790 on a $114,920 salary.
- Use the Salary Index – Divide the annual salary by $108,352 and multiply by 100. An index above 100 means above-average earnings.
For example, a job offering $100,000 gives an index of 92 – below the national line. An offer of $120,000 gives index 111 – above the dental hygienist median.
Where to find more information
- Salary Index: Benchmark any salary against the national line.
- Pay guides: Understand award rates and classifications.
- How the index works: Detailed methodology.
- Industries: Compare by sector.
Summary
The typical dental hygienist salary in Australia is around $114,920 per year (index 106), with median hourly earnings of $55. Award minimums start at about $32 per hour for new graduates. When reading a job ad, focus on the hours, classification, and super to get a true picture of the offer.
If you're comparing multiple offers, the Salary Index is a quick way to see where each sits against the national benchmark.
Questions people ask
What is the average dental hygienist salary in Australia?
The median full-time weekly earnings for dental hygienists (and related roles) is $2,210, according to Jobs and Skills Australia data from May 2025. This annualises to about $114,920. However, half of dental hygienists work part-time, so actual earnings depend on hours worked. Award minimums for health professional employees start around $32–$40 per hour depending on qualification and experience.
How does the dental hygienist salary compare to the national average?
The median dental hygienist salary of $114,920 annualised gives a salary index of 106, meaning it sits 6% above the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings line of $108,352 (index 100). This is higher than the health care and social assistance industry average (index 97.8) and well above the national minimum wage (index 48.2).
What award covers dental hygienists and what are the minimum rates?
Dental hygienists are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. Under Schedule B, a Health Professional employee with an AQF Level 5 qualification (e.g., Diploma of Dental Hygiene) earns minimum rates from $32.44 per hour (1st year) up to $40.56 per hour (7th year+). These rates are effective from 1 October 2026. Note that many dental hygienists are paid above these minimums.