Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Illinois
The median dental hygienist earns $96,670 a year in Illinois ($46.48 an hour), with the middle half earning between $79,400 and $101,800.[1]
25th percentile
$79,400
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$96,670
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$101,800
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $96,670 per year or $46.48/hr at the median. Illinois runs about 1% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Illinois
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental hygienists in Illinois earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Illinois hourly | Illinois annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35.71 | $74,280 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $38.17 | $79,400 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $46.48 | $96,670 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $48.94 | $101,800 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $56.93 | $118,410 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $44.15 | $91,820 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Illinois
8,970
1.47
1.03
How Illinois compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $96,670 in Illinois vs. $98,100 nationally, $1,430 (1%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $74,280 vs. $74,880, about the same.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $118,410 vs. $126,050, 6% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 5.5% in Illinois vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in Illinois
All 12 Illinois metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $100,260 | $86,330–$102,340 | 6,470 |
| St. Louis | $97,650 | $83,430–$98,820 | 2,150 |
| Rockford | $86,120 | $81,790–$97,490 | 370 |
| Cape Girardeau | $83,690 | $78,510–$91,740 | 80 |
| Springfield | $83,070 | $82,150–$97,530 | 280 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $82,000 | $78,120–$93,600 | 280 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $81,110 | $78,740–$97,330 | 170 |
| Decatur | $80,930 | $78,390–$86,820 | 60 |
| Paducah | $79,610 | $75,420–$92,150 | 90 |
| Kankakee | $78,430 | $76,060–$94,190 | 50 |
| Bloomington | $78,220 | $75,920–$94,050 | 130 |
| Peoria | $77,870 | $77,560–$80,830 | 270 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Illinois
Illinois's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 5.5% over 2024–2034, from 9,510 to 10,030 jobs, with about 640 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental hygienist employment to grow 8% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 15,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
Licensing for dental hygienists in Illinois
Licensing board: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Board of Dentistry[5] (licenses dentists and registered dental hygienists)
What drives dental hygienist pay in Illinois
Pay for a dental hygienist depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dental hygienist roles in Illinois, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Hygienist salary in Illinois: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Illinois?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Illinois was $96,670 ($46.48 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $79,400 and $101,800. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $74,280 and the top 10% earned over $118,410.
Do dental hygienists in Illinois earn more than the national median?
No. The Illinois median of $96,670 is lower than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $1,430 (1%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Illinois metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 12 Illinois metro areas with published BLS data, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has the highest median at $100,260 a year. Peoria has the lowest, at $77,870.
How many dental hygienists work in Illinois?
BLS estimates 8,970 dental hygienists were employed in Illinois in May 2025. That is 1.47 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.03, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in Illinois?
Illinois's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 5.5% over 2024–2034, from 9,510 to 10,030 jobs. That works out to about 640 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Who licenses dental hygienists in Illinois?
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Board of Dentistry. Confirm current requirements on the board's website before you apply.
Hiring in Illinois?
Fill dental hygienist roles across every location.
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Other roles in Illinois
Dental Hygienist salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Hygienists (29-1292), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Illinois long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists
- 5.Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Board of Dentistry