PayByState

Illinois · BLS SOC 29-1292

Dental Hygienist salary in Illinois

Median $97,090 · Top 10% earn $119,760+ · Roughly 8,830 workers in Illinois. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Illinois median
$97,090
$46.68/hr
Top 10%
$119,760
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$64,880
Entry-level range
Real pay
$97,676
CoL-adjusted (RPP 99.4)

Illinois pays close to the U.S. median for dental hygienists — $97,090 versus the national median of $94,260. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 8,830 dental hygienists.

What drives dental hygienist pay in Illinois

Illinois hygienist pay is steady — Chicago metro hospital systems and large dental groups (Heartland, North Suburban Dental) pay above state median. Cook County FQHC roles offer state benefits and pension.

Illinois ranks #19 of 50 states

Where Illinois sits in the national distribution for dental hygienist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Illinois
#17 Arizona $98,030 +$940
#16 Nevada $98,030 +$940
#15 New Hampshire $98,970 +$1,880
#19 Illinois (this page) $97,090 —
#20 Delaware $95,200 −$1,890
#21 Maine $93,320 −$3,770
#22 Virginia $93,320 −$3,770
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Illinois

The typical path is a associate degree + state license (some bs), taking about 30 months. Tuition ranges from $12,000 (community college) to $65,000 (private accelerated). On the Illinois median of $97,090, payback periods are typically 1 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Hygienist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Illinois selected.

Dental Hygienist salary in Illinois — FAQ

What is the average dental hygienist salary in Illinois?
The median dental hygienist salary in Illinois is $97,090 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $64,880; the top 10% earn $119,760 or more. About 8,830 people work in this role across the state.
How does Illinois dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
Illinois's median of $97,090 is $2,830 above the U.S. national median of $94,260. After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 99.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $97,676.
Is dental hygienist a good career in Illinois?
On the data: Illinois employs roughly 8,830 dental hygienists, with a median wage of $97,090 and the top decile clearing $119,760. The role is projected to grow +9% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Illinois?
At the Illinois median of $97,090 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $46.68/hr. The top 10% earn around $57.58/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $31.19/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Illinois-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1292: Dental Hygienists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Illinois's RPP is 99.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.