How much do dental hygienists make in alberta

Dental hygienists’ salaries in Canada range from around $55,000 per annum at entry-level, to approximately $95,000 in 2022. Mid-range salaries are in the region of $70,000 per annum.

Based on available statistics the highest hourly wages rates for dental hygienists in Canada are found in Alberta. Here, the mid-range wage rates are almost 50% higher than the national average.

A dental hygienist’s salary in Ontario is pretty close to national averages, with a mid-range salary standing at around $72,000 per annum.

What are Dental Hygienist Wage Rates by Province?

The best available comparison data for dental hygienists give hourly rates of pay for the different provinces. Low and high wages rates are quoted along with the average median wage (the median is the middle point of the data range when all wages are listed in numerical order).

The information below gives dental hygienists and dental assistants hourly wages by province for 2020.

What are the Prospects for Dental Hygienists in Canada?

The dental hygienist job market in Canada is quite stable. The number of new jobs seekers is currently in line with the number of new jobs opening up. Unemployment rates for the profession are just 1% (as of October 2021) compared with a national average of 6.7%.

This is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Government projections (carried out by EDC) for the years 2019 to 2028, showed a projected increase in the number of job openings for dental hygienists of 12,900. They estimated that 15,300 new job seekers will fill these posts.

One area of opportunity is the increasing number of dental hygienists clinics that can operate without a qualified dentist.

Can Immigrants Get Dental Hygienist Jobs in Canada?

Dental hygiene is a regulated profession in Canada. Dental hygienists must be registered or licensed by the appropriate provincial or territorial dental hygiene regulatory authorities.

Requirements for registration vary by province or territory and include differences in clinical experience, examinations required, and continuing education requirements.

Internationally educated dental hygienists will need to follow this process to work in Canada:

1. Apply to the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board to have your academic qualifications assessed for equivalency with Canadian qualifications.
2. If your qualifications are approved you can apply to sit the National Hygiene Certifcation Dental Exam (NDHCE). The exam is offered three times a years in various cities in Canada.
3. On successful completion of the exam you can apply to become certified in your chosen province or territory.

Further information about this process can be found at the International Federation of Dental Hygienists website. Contact details for the various regulatory bodies can also be found at this site.

The good news is that for immigration purposes, dental hygienists are classed as in demand. This means you could be eligible for the Federal Skilled Workers Program which provides express entry to Canada.

Every occupation in Canada has a National Occupation Classification Code (or NOC). The code for dental hygienists and dental therapists is 3222, and you will find this code on the Government of Canada’s targeted occupations list for immigration.

Where Can I Find More Information About Dental Hygienists in Canada?

If you want more specific information for a particular job or location, the online “Job Bank” is a great resource.

The “Trends Analysis” section allows you to search for a job type in any location. It will then provide information including:

• Average Wages Levels
• Marketplace Trends
• Qualification Requirements
• Geographic Comparisons
• Currently Available Jobs

And finally, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association is a useful resource for general information about working in dental hygiene in Canada.

Sources – this information has been compiled from several sources, including Statistics Canada and the Labour Force Survey.