Dental Hygienist Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Dental Hygienists in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$96,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$46.48
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $98,100
State Rank
#25 of 50
8,970 employed here

How much does a Dental Hygienist make in Illinois?

Dental Hygienists in Illinois take home a median of $96,670 annually — roughly $46.48 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $98,100.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $74,280 while the top 10% make $118,410 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $79,400 and $101,800 a year.

Dental Hygienist salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$74,280$35.71
25th percentile (early career)$79,400$38.17
50th percentile (median)$96,670$46.48
75th percentile (experienced)$101,800$48.94
90th percentile (top earners)$118,410$56.93

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 25th out of 50 states and territories for Dental Hygienist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$137,220
2Alaska$132,690
3Washington$131,160
4California$124,930
5Oregon$122,080

Working as a Dental Hygienist in Illinois

Nationally, about 223,000 people work as Dental Hygienists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($96,670) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Dental Hygienist make in Illinois?
The median Dental Hygienist salary in Illinois is $96,670 per year, or about $46.48 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $74,280 at the entry level to $118,410 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Dental Hygienists about 1% less than the national median of $98,100. Illinois ranks 25th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Dental Hygienists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $96,670 a year. About 8,970 Dental Hygienists are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Dental Hygienist salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.