Dental Hygienist Salary in Illinois: $100,678 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 65 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $100,678/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $103,685 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naperville ($101,307), Chicago ($100,260), Elgin ($99,366).

Dental Hygienist Salary in Illinois - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — Illinois dental hygienist salary overview (2026)

$100,678

Avg Median Salary

$48.40

Avg Hourly Rate

8,411

Metro Employed

Cities

In Illinois, the projected average median salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $100,677, which falls slightly below the national median of $102,946, representing a difference of approximately 2.2%. Salaries across the state vary significantly, with the highest-paying city being Naperville at $106,312, while Carbondale offers the lowest at $79,637. This gap of $26,675 can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local demand for dental services, and the concentration of dental practices in metropolitan areas. Illinois has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact the role and responsibilities of dental hygienists. These regulations can influence job opportunities and salary ranges. The state shows a healthy job market for dental hygienists, with a projected 4.94% annual growth rate in employment, indicating a steady demand for dental services. Major cities like Chicago and Elgin are also projected to offer competitive salaries of $105,213 and $104,275, respectively. Overall, the outlook for dental hygienists in Illinois remains positive, driven by ongoing population growth and an increasing awareness of oral health.

Illinois Dental Hygienist Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$76,871

avg across 65 cities

Median

$100,678

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$119,696

avg across 65 cities

Overall salary range in Illinois: $60,821 (lowest entry-level) to $144,217 (highest top earner)

Illinois vs National Average

Illinois

$100,678

National Median

$102,946

Illinois dental hygienists earn 2.2% less than the national median ($-2,268/year difference).

Illinois Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)

Dental Hygienist salaries in Illinois range from $76,871 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $119,696 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $100,678. The Illinois median is $2,268 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $48.40/hr. Approximately 8,411 dental hygienists are employed across 65 cities.

2020 BLS Actual

$75,488

2025 BLS Actual

$95,938

2026 Current Est.

$100,678

2020–2027 Growth

+40.0%

Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Illinois (2020–2027)

2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2020	$75,488	Actual
2021	$76,295	Actual
2022	$79,924	Actual
2023	$92,390	Actual
2024	$94,697	Actual
2025	$95,938	Actual
2026(current)	$100,678	Estimated
2027	$105,651	Projected

Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 27.1% from $75,488 (2020) to $95,938 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,651 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,163 (39.96%) from 2020.

Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois

Naperville

23 employed · $51.12/hr

$106,312

+5.60% vs avg

Chicago

6,470 employed · $50.58/hr

$105,213

+4.50% vs avg

Elgin

16 employed · $50.13/hr

$104,275

+3.57% vs avg

Rockford

370 employed · $43.45/hr

$90,374

-10.23% vs avg

Moline

10 employed · $42.10/hr

$87,576

-13.01% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Carbondale	$79,637	-20.90%	$38.28
Elmhurst	$80,430	-20.11%	$38.67
Calumet City	$80,628	-19.91%	$38.76
Galesburg	$80,654	-19.89%	$38.78
Crystal Lake	$80,964	-19.58%	$38.92

Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Illinois

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Naperville	$106,312	97.1	$109,487
Elgin	$104,275	97.1	$107,389
Chicago	$105,213	103.595	$101,562
Rockford	$90,374	92.154	$98,068
Decatur	$84,928	88.422	$96,048

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Illinois

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$76,871	$36.96	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$100,678	$48.40	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$119,696	$57.55	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 65 Cities in Illinois

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Naperville	$106,312	$51.12	$77,403	$144,217	23
2	Chicago	$105,213	$50.58	$77,949	$124,259	6,470
3	Elgin	$104,275	$50.13	$80,617	$137,608	16
4	Rockford	$90,374	$43.45	$82,283	$102,411	370
5	Moline	$87,576	$42.10	$67,822	$105,937	10
6	Springfield	$87,174	$41.91	$82,504	$103,450	280
7	Rock Island	$86,220	$41.45	$64,895	$104,497	5
8	Orland Park	$86,209	$41.45	$66,008	$108,627	9
9	Bolingbrook	$85,839	$41.27	$62,263	$107,404	19
10	Palatine	$85,192	$40.96	$63,234	$108,395	16
11	Waukegan	$85,145	$40.94	$63,471	$113,648	18
12	Champaign	$85,117	$40.93	$79,093	$103,439	170
13	Mount Prospect	$84,984	$40.85	$63,090	$107,490	13
14	Decatur	$84,928	$40.83	$71,317	$107,553	60
15	Urbana	$84,807	$40.77	$70,042	$107,300	6
16	Hoffman Estates	$84,708	$40.73	$62,440	$106,802	8
17	Evanston	$84,546	$40.64	$62,062	$111,427	16
18	Joliet	$84,475	$40.61	$64,673	$110,210	25
19	Oak Park	$84,404	$40.58	$61,731	$105,812	10
20	Danville	$84,230	$40.50	$66,087	$102,269	5
21	Addison	$84,052	$40.41	$65,647	$104,883	6
22	Berwyn	$84,014	$40.39	$60,821	$104,543	12
23	Aurora	$83,959	$40.36	$63,489	$108,510	44
24	Tinley Park	$83,947	$40.36	$67,037	$109,657	8
25	Northbrook	$83,861	$40.32	$65,089	$104,060	8
26	St. Charles	$83,808	$40.30	$65,048	$100,924	7
27	Gurnee	$83,788	$40.29	$65,000	$101,070	8
28	Arlington Heights	$83,671	$40.22	$66,720	$108,748	18
29	Wheaton	$83,563	$40.17	$66,463	$108,394	14
30	Woodridge	$83,537	$40.16	$64,298	$100,067	9
31	Schaumburg	$83,496	$40.14	$66,217	$110,992	13
32	Buffalo Grove	$83,471	$40.13	$68,510	$107,955	7
33	Bartlett	$83,465	$40.13	$64,210	$100,045	9
34	Lake in the Hills	$83,154	$39.98	$63,367	$106,925	6
35	Collinsville	$83,142	$39.97	$63,423	$101,967	5
36	Skokie	$83,119	$39.96	$65,323	$106,674	12
37	Wheeling	$82,996	$39.90	$67,331	$106,412	6
38	Carpentersville	$82,904	$39.86	$67,191	$106,320	8
39	Oak Lawn	$82,849	$39.84	$64,432	$106,063	14
40	O'Fallon	$82,831	$39.82	$62,672	$105,880	6
41	Quincy	$82,508	$39.67	$61,895	$105,044	6
42	Algonquin	$82,508	$39.67	$61,546	$105,044	5
43	Carol Stream	$82,436	$39.64	$61,720	$104,811	10
44	Normal	$82,431	$39.63	$61,385	$104,710	8
45	Lombard	$82,383	$39.60	$61,593	$104,642	8
46	Kankakee	$82,304	$39.57	$63,562	$102,138	50
47	Cicero	$82,297	$39.56	$63,476	$104,277	21
48	Plainfield	$82,211	$39.52	$67,616	$104,092	11
49	Des Plaines	$82,195	$39.52	$63,240	$103,950	12
50	Bloomington	$82,084	$39.47	$70,908	$104,027	130
51	Oswego	$81,882	$39.36	$66,805	$103,040	7
52	DeKalb	$81,815	$39.33	$66,988	$105,724	9
53	Park Ridge	$81,749	$39.30	$66,827	$102,619	7
54	Peoria	$81,717	$39.29	$68,767	$100,554	270
55	Hanover Park	$81,717	$39.29	$66,746	$105,406	6
56	Glenview	$81,709	$39.28	$66,729	$105,384	12
57	Romeoville	$81,380	$39.12	$65,923	$101,448	7
58	Streamwood	$81,268	$39.07	$65,650	$103,768	8
59	Downers Grove	$81,115	$39.00	$65,281	$103,486	11
60	Belleville	$81,097	$38.99	$65,234	$100,352	10
61	Crystal Lake	$80,964	$38.92	$64,914	$103,004	9
62	Galesburg	$80,654	$38.78	$64,165	$102,020	4
63	Calumet City	$80,628	$38.76	$64,101	$98,884	7
64	Elmhurst	$80,430	$38.67	$63,626	$98,466	9
65	Carbondale	$79,637	$38.28	$67,795	$97,462	5

More Illinois Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore dental hygienist hourly pay in Illinois cities.

Naperville →Chicago →Elgin →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new dental hygienists.

Naperville →Chicago →Elgin →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.

Naperville →Chicago →Elgin →

Compare Cities in Illinois

Chicago, ILvsRockford, IL Chicago, ILvsSpringfield, IL Chicago, ILvsPeoria, IL Chicago, ILvsChampaign, IL Chicago, ILvsBloomington, IL Chicago, ILvsDecatur, IL

View all comparisons →

Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data

National OverviewMedian salary & full US data Entry-Level SalariesStarting pay & new grad earnings Hourly Pay RatesPer-hour rates & part-time income Highest Paying StatesTop states ranked by salary

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dental hygienists make in Illinois in 2026?

The average median dental hygienist salary in Illinois is $100,678/year across 65 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $79,637 in Carbondale to $106,312 in Naperville. This makes Illinois 2.2% below the national median of $102,946. The state employs approximately 8,411 dental hygienists.

What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Illinois?

Naperville offers the highest dental hygienist salary in Illinois at $106,312/year ($51.12/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Naperville ($106,312), Chicago ($105,213), Elgin ($104,275). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for dental hygiene services, and competition among employers for licensed dental hygienists.

How does Illinois dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?

Illinois's average dental hygienist salary of $100,678 is 2.2% below the national median of $102,946 in 2026. The state employs approximately 8,411 dental hygienists across 65 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Illinois?

Entry-level dental hygienists (10th percentile) in Illinois earn approximately $76,871/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $60,821 in lower-paying areas to $82,504 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many dental hygienists are employed in Illinois?

Illinois employs approximately 8,411 dental hygienists across 65 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes Illinois one of the larger employers of dental hygienists nationally. Demand continues to grow as the dental hygiene field expands and the population ages.

Which Illinois city offers the best value for dental hygienists?

When adjusted for cost of living, Naperville offers the highest purchasing power for dental hygienists in Illinois, with an adjusted salary of $109,487 (nominal: $106,312, CoL index: 97.1). This means your dollar goes 3% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.

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

Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 65 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (2020–2025). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).

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

Last verified: May 21, 2026

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