Dental Hygienist Pay

Addison vs Chicago: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Addison, IL and Chicago, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Addison, IL
$84,052
$40.41/hr
Chicago, IL
$105,213
$50.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAddison, ILChicago, IL
Median Salary$84,052$105,213
Hourly Rate$40.41$50.58
Entry Level (P10)$65,647$77,949
25th Percentile$71,698$90,595
75th Percentile$91,982$107,396
Top Earner (P90)$104,883$124,259
Total Employed66,470
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Addison ($84,052) and Chicago ($105,213) dental hygienist salaries.AddisonChicagoMedian Salary$84,052$105,213Entry Level (P10)$65,647$77,949Top Earner (P90)$104,883$124,259US Median $102,946

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Addison.

The salary gap between Addison and Chicago is $21,161 (25.18%). Chicago's median is +2.20% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Addison spans $39,236,Chicago spans $46,310. Chicago has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Addison
P10 (Entry)$65,647
P25$71,698
Median$84,052
P75$91,982
P90 (Top)$104,883
Chicago
P10 (Entry)$77,949
P25$90,595
Median$105,213
P75$107,396
P90 (Top)$124,259

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($101,562 effective) pays 17.33% more than Addison ($86,562 effective).

Addison
Nominal: $84,052
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $86,562
Chicago
Nominal: $105,213
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $101,562

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Addison if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,213/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($124,259)
  • Larger job market (6,470 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,562)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Addison grew 7.2% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 30.8% growth in Chicago over the same period.

Addison, IL

+7.2%

$74,738 (2020) → $80,095 (2025)

Chicago, IL

+30.8%

$76,640 (2020) → $100,260 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Addison or Chicago?

Chicago has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $105,213/year, compared to Addison at $84,052/year — a difference of $21,161 (25.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Addison and Chicago?

Addison dental hygienists earn $40.41/hr while Chicago hygienists earn $50.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Addison to Chicago as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Addison and Chicago. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Addison = $86,562, Chicago = $101,562), job availability (6 vs 6,470 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Addison vs Chicago?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $65,647 in Addison and $77,949 in Chicago. The Chicago area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH

Dental Career Analyst

Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov