How to Make 6 Figures As A Dental Hygienist? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a dental hygienist? Good for you! Being a dental hygienist is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.
In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a dental hygienist - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could significantly boost your income as a dental hygienist by allowing you to share your expertise and connect with a broader audience. Given that 77% of internet users read blogs, tapping into this market can establish you as an authority in dental hygiene, attract sponsorships, and even create opportunities for affiliate marketing.
With blogs rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of gathering online information, your content can gain credibility and attract a loyal following. This can eventually turn into a steady stream of passive income through ads, sponsored posts, and other monetization avenues. Ultimately, building a successful blog could offer you the versatility of a location-independent business and help you reach those six-figure earnings.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
2. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a dental hygienist, helping you move towards earning six figures. By leveraging your expertise in dental hygiene, you could create engaging and informative content that attracts an audience interested in oral health, dental hygiene tips, or even career advice for aspiring dental professionals.
Choosing a niche you're passionate about and investing in basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones would be your initial steps. Publishing your episodes on a free or affordable hosting platform and promoting them through social media and online communities could help you build a dedicated following. As your audience grows, you could attract sponsors or advertisers, generating additional income streams and opening up new business opportunities.
Ultimately, a successful podcast could not only supplement your current income but also establish you as an authority in your field, potentially leading to speaking engagements, partnerships, and other revenue-enhancing opportunities. The possibilities for entrepreneurial dental hygienists are vast if you choose to explore the world of podcasting.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
3. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could significantly increase your income as a dental hygienist by allowing you to leverage your industry experience to guide others through their professional journeys. As a career coach, you could design personalized sessions on resume building, interview preparation, and workplace advancement, tailored specifically to the needs of your clients.
By offering these services, you could build a loyal client base both in-person and virtually, thereby expanding your reach and profitability. Launching this side business could be particularly beneficial if you have strong speaking talents and a knack for motivating others, as it enables you to monetize your natural abilities while setting your own schedule and potentially earning a lucrative second income stream.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.
4. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Supplementing your income by becoming a social media influencer could be a lucrative path to making six figures as a dental hygienist. Leveraging social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok allows you to establish yourself as an expert in dental hygiene, sharing valuable tips and engaging content. Brands seeking to connect with your audience may pay you for sponsored posts, partnerships, and product placements.
Starting a social media influencer journey involves choosing a niche you're passionate about, such as oral health, teeth whitening, or dental care routines, and consistently creating high-quality, informative content. With the right strategy and dedication, you could build a large, engaged following, enhancing your credibility and opening doors to monetization opportunities.
By effectively marketing yourself online, you could attract brand deals, ad revenue, and even create your own line of dental products or services. This side venture not only supplements your income but also taps into the increasing importance of social media in modern marketing, making it an excellent avenue to explore for entrepreneurial-minded dental hygienists.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)
How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.
5. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could provide you with a substantial supplementary income, potentially pushing your earnings into the six-figure range. As a dental hygienist, your unique insights into dental care and healthcare could make you an invaluable asset in the health and wellness niche. This specialized knowledge may allow you to command higher rates for your writing services.
Freelance writing offers the flexibility to work from home and set your own schedule, allowing you to balance it with your existing job. By leveraging strong writing skills, meeting deadlines, and staying current with writing trends, you could establish yourself as a reliable freelancer in a range of niches. This entrepreneurial venture requires self-motivation and good communication skills, but it holds significant potential for increasing your overall income.
How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
6. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a great way to supplement your income as a dental hygienist and work towards making six figures. By sharing your expertise in dental hygiene tips, product reviews, and oral health education, you could engage a wide audience and build a loyal subscriber base. With enough engaging content, you could meet the requirements for YouTube’s Partner Program, allowing you to monetize your channel through ads and sponsored content.
Additionally, the platform offers numerous success stories that can serve as inspiration and boost your confidence in your content creation endeavors. Beyond simple ad revenue, you could also explore collaborating with dental product companies for sponsorship deals and affiliate marketing opportunities. Leveraging YouTube's popularity and its established monetization system, you could turn your passion for dental health into a lucrative side business.
How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.
7. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Creating an online course could significantly help you make six figures as a dental hygienist by monetizing your specialized skills and knowledge. You could develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials around oral health, dental hygiene techniques, or even effective patient communication strategies.
By identifying educational gaps and providing convenient access to these topics, you attract a student base that continuously generates passive income through self-paced or cohort-based course structures. This entrepreneurial venture offers a lucrative opportunity with small startup costs, allowing you to turn your passion for information-sharing into a profitable business model.
Not only do you supplement your income, but you also establish yourself as a thought leader in your field, opening doors to further opportunities for professional growth and financial success.
How much you can make: $275 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
8. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an eCommerce store could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a dental hygienist, potentially helping you reach the six-figure mark. With the lower overhead costs and increased flexibility that eCommerce businesses offer, you could set up your store with products that resonate with your interests or professional expertise. For instance, you could sell oral care products, dental hygiene accessories, or even niche health and wellness items.
Since eCommerce is booming due to its convenience and efficiency, you could reach a wider audience, even beyond your local area, from the comfort of your home. Setting up an online store involves creating a website and using payment processing, shopping cart, and inventory tracking software, which are quite manageable steps. With dedication and smart marketing, your side business could flourish, offering you a substantial additional revenue stream.
How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.
9. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could be a lucrative side business for a dental hygienist aiming to make six figures. By leveraging the power of social media marketing tools to automate tasks, you could manage this venture with minimal time commitment, allowing you to effectively balance it with your primary career. Whether your goal is to pay off bills, finance further education, or save for a dream vacation, this could be an excellent way to boost your income.
Moreover, developing a robust social media marketing strategy and creating an agency portfolio will be key to attracting and retaining clients. In doing so, you could efficiently serve your customers and expand your business, unlocking significant financial potential. With the right approach, your social media marketing agency could quickly grow, becoming a major source of income that, when combined with your dental hygienist salary, could help you to achieve six-figure earnings.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $4,166,667/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
10. Digital products ($242K/month)
Supplementing your income as a dental hygienist with digital products could be an excellent way to reach six figures. By creating information-based products like eBooks or courses on dental hygiene topics, you could leverage your expertise to benefit a broader audience. Given the ease of creating and sharing digital products, you won't need to hire anyone else, and you can manage it alongside your regular job.
Moreover, digital products could range from specialized apps or games tailored to dental health to membership sites or online communities focused on dental care education. The flexibility of these products allows you to build a business without the constraints of physical inventory, making it a low-risk venture. With dedication and the right marketing strategies, your digital products could significantly boost your income.
How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.
11. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketer business could significantly boost your income as a dental hygienist. By promoting dental products, health gadgets, or wellness services through your blog or social media channels, you could earn commissions on each sale made through your referral links.
Given your expertise in dental hygiene, you could build trust with your audience, making them more likely to buy products you recommend. This is a low-cost business model that requires minimal upfront investment and leverages your existing knowledge and passion for dental health, making it an accessible venture for entrepreneurial-minded individuals.
By integrating affiliate marketing into your career, you could supplement your regular income and potentially reach that six-figure mark faster.
How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
