Dental Hygienist Salary in Canada | By Province

In Canada, the dental hygienist median salary is $45.00/hr.

Dental Hygienists in Canada: job prospects, employment requirements, licensing.

Dental hygienists in Canada, classified under NOC 32111 as dental hygienists and dental therapists, provide preventive dental care, perform oral assessments, conduct cleanings, apply fluoride and sealants, take X-rays, and educate patients on oral hygiene while working under the supervision of dentists. Approximately 30,000 or more registered dental hygienists practice across the country. Job prospects are good nationally through 2033 with a risk of labour shortage, as about 15,900 job openings are projected over the period, roughly matching or exceeding the number of job seekers due to strong demand from an aging population, increased focus on preventive care, and retirements.

Median hourly wages range from about 37.00 to 46.00 Canadian dollars nationally, with average effective hourly earnings reaching around 54.85 dollars depending on experience, location, province, and full-time versus part-time status. Most positions require a college diploma or bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene, successful completion of a national licensing exam, and provincial registration, with work conditions typically involving part-time or full-time clinical hours in dental offices, clinics, or community health settings that may include evenings or Saturdays, prolonged periods of standing or sitting, use of protective equipment, and close patient interaction focused on comfort and education.

Licensing

Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories for this occupation.

DENTAL HYGIENIST (NOC 32111)
2025	Wages/hr
Community/Area	Low	Median	High
Canada	32.00	45.00	60.00
Newfoundland and Labrador	25.00	50.00	74.27
Prince Edward Island	39.00	46.00	48.00
Nova Scotia	35.00	38.10	44.00
New Brunswick	35.58	42.00	46.00
Quebec	30.00	39.00	46.19
Ontario	33.00	44.00	53.67
Manitoba	43.00	47.00	53.97
Saskatchewan	26.44	51.00	60.00
Alberta	50.00	60.00	75.00
British Columbia	43.59	55.00	65.00
Yukon Territory	N/A	N/A	N/A
Northwest Territories	N/A	N/A	N/A
Nunavut	N/A	N/A	N/A
Source: Job Bank. 2026

In 2020, dental hygienist median salary is $35.18/hr.

DENTAL HYGIENISTS AND DENTAL THERAPISTS (NOC 3222)
2020	Wages ($/hour)
Province/Territory	Low	Median	High
Canada	24.69	35.18	46
Newfoundland and Labrador	N/A	N/A	N/A
Prince Edward Island	21.33	34.5	36.65
Nova Scotia	30	33.5	38
New Brunswick	19.83	30.5	39.14
Quebec	23.38	30.5	35.5
Ontario	24	36.5	42
Manitoba	37	42	48
Saskatchewan	37	41	51.82
Alberta	33.55	53	60
British Columbia	24.69	43	48
Yukon Territory	N/A	N/A	N/A
Northwest Territories	N/A	N/A	N/A
Nunavut	N/A	N/A	N/A
Source: Job Bank. Dec 2020

Job Prospects in Canada

Labour demand and labour supply projections (2019-2021)
Newfoundland and Labrador	Fair
Prince Edward Island	Good
Nova Scotia	Good
New Brunswick	Fair
Québec	Good
Ontario	Good
Manitoba	Fair
Saskatchewan	Good
Alberta	Good
British Columbia	Good
Yukon	NA
Northwest Territories	NA
Nunavut	NA
Source: Job Bank. Dec 2020

In 2017, dental hygienists reported higher salaries in Saskatchewan.

Dental hygienists and dental therapists (NOC 3222)
2017	Wages ($/hr)
Province/Territory	Low	Median	High
Canada	24	35	47
Saskatchewan	35	41	59.07
Alberta	30.46	50	58.5
Manitoba	33	40.72	47.95
British Columbia	23.08	41	45
Ontario	24	36	44
Prince Edward Island	26	33	43
Nova Scotia	29	33.83	40.5
New Brunswick	25	33	36
Québec	22	29.5	35
Newfoundland and Labrador	N/A	N/A	N/A
Northwest Territories	N/A	N/A	N/A
Nunavut	N/A	N/A	N/A
Yukon	N/A	N/A	N/A
Source: Job Bank. September 2017

The salary for dental hygienists varies by province. For example, in 2016, dental hygienists in Saskatchewan had the highest salaries.

DENTAL HYGIENISTS AND DENTAL THERAPISTS (NOC 3222-B)
	Wages ($/hr)
Province/Territory	Low	Median	High
Canada	22.6	35	45
Saskatchewan	35	41	59.07
Alberta	30	54	58.5
Manitoba	33	40	47.62
British Columbia	28	40	45
Ontario	22	35	44
New Brunswick	25	33	43
Prince Edward Island	25	33	43
Nova Scotia	27.18	32	36
Québec	23.5	29	35
Newfoundland & Labrador	N/A	N/A	N/A
Northwest Territories	N/A	N/A	N/A
Nunavut	N/A	N/A	N/A
Yukon	N/A	N/A	N/A
Source: Job Bank. November 2016

*Wages are reviewed and updated on the Job Bank Web site on an annual basis.

DENTAL HYGIENIST SALARY IN CANADA (2017)

DENTAL HYGIENIST SALARY IN CANADA (2016)