Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $50.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Chicago, IL runs $50.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,213 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,125 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, Illinois, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $50.58, slightly higher than the national median of $49.49. This competitive rate reflects the city’s thriving healthcare sector and high cost of living, making it an appealing profession for both full-time and part-time workers. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly rate can translate into substantial weekly income, making the role attractive for individuals seeking flexibility in their schedules. The hourly wages for dental hygienists in Chicago range from $37.47 at the entry-level (P10) to $59.74 for the top earners (P90), providing ample opportunity for growth based on experience and specialization in various settings like pediatric and periodontal practices, public health clinics, or within Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). These statistics are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.47 | $299.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.55 | $348.40 |
| Median (P50) | $50.58 | $404.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.63 | $413.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.74 | $477.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $50.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.58/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $105,209 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,697. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,023.24 | $8,767 | $105,209 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,213.95 | $5,260 | $63,125 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $809.30 | $3,507 | $42,083 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Chicago) | $50.58 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Dental Hygienists in Chicago, IL earn a median of $105,213 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.20% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 23.70% above the Illinois state average of $85,055.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.58/hr = $63,125/year (purchasing power: $60,935).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,209/year (purchasing power: $101,558).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$36.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.58/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Chicago (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $36.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Chicago grew 30.8% from $36.85/hr (2020) to $48.20/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.08/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Chicago
Evaluating the part-time earning potential reveals that a dental hygienist working 24 hours a week in Chicago could expect to take home approximately $62,722 annually, a significant income considering the work-life balance it provides. For professionals pursuing per diem opportunities, pay rates can fluctuate significantly; most temp agencies in metropolitan areas typically offer $40-60 per hour, with higher rates found in cities with a high cost of living. In Chicago, various employer types contribute to differences in hourly rates, ranging from solo practices to large DSOs like Heartland and Pacific Dental Services. While some dental hygienists might accept lower pay for full-time positions with benefits like health insurance, others may prioritize hourly rates without such perks. Essentially, negotiation skills are critical in this job market, particularly for independent contractors seeking to maximize their income in a competitive environment while catering to flexible work arrangements.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Chicago. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). 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