$94K on a ~3-year associate degree, and about 29% work part-time — the classic high-pay, flexible-schedule healthcare career.
Gold = credential gate. Each turn: more skill → more pay → the next step.
1
Accredited hygiene program (~3 yrs)
A ~3-year associate degree in dental hygiene (CODA-accredited).
◆ GMA Academy — science prep
2
Pass the national + clinical boards
The National Board Dental Hygiene Exam + a regional clinical exam.
◆ GMA mentor
3
Get state-licensed
Your state licenses you (written + clinical).
4
Practice · $94K (~$45/hr)
Clean, assess, and educate patients; ~29% work part-time.
5
Flex hours or add roles
Scale hours up or down; some move into education, sales, or public health.
The flywheel: a short degree reaches a high hourly wage fast, and the part-time-friendly schedule lets you scale hours up or down around life — pay per hour barely changes.
