Dental Hygienist salary in Illinois
Dental Hygienists in Illinois earn a median of $96,670 a year ($46.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,970 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,410 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $98,100. Illinois ranks 25th of 50 states for dental hygienists pay. There are 1.5 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $91,820, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,280 | $35.71 |
| 25th percentile | $79,400 | $38.17 |
| Median | $96,670 | $46.48 |
| 75th percentile | $101,800 | $48.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,410 | $56.93 |
| Average (mean) | $91,820 | $44.15 |
Half of dental hygienists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,055.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,027.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,718.08 |
| Weekly | $1,859.04 |
| Hourly | $46.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Hygienist salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $100,260 | 6,470 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $97,650 | 2,150 |
| Rockford, IL | $86,120 | 370 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $83,690 | 80 |
| Springfield, IL | $83,070 | 280 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $82,000 | 280 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $81,110 | 170 |
| Decatur, IL | $80,930 | 60 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $79,610 | 90 |
| Kankakee, IL | $78,430 | 50 |
| Bloomington, IL | $78,220 | 130 |
| Peoria, IL | $77,870 | 270 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $132,540 | $63.72 |
| Pharmacist | $139,080 | $66.86 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,680 | $62.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,080 | $45.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,700 | $47.93 |
| Dentists, General | $156,110 | $75.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,950 | $63.44 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,520 | $35.35 |
| Veterinarian | $133,580 | $64.22 |
| Chiropractor | $66,650 | $32.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $245,120 | $117.84 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental hygienist make in Illinois?
The median salary for dental hygienists in Illinois is $96,670 a year, or $46.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in Illinois earn at least $118,410 a year. The top 25% earn $101,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,280 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $79,400 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Illinois?
About 8,970 dental hygienists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.