How Much Does a Dental Hygienist Make in Illinois in 2026?

A typical Dental Hygienist in Illinois earns about $46.48 per hour ($96,670 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $8,056 a month or $1,859 a week, both calculated from the annual figure. These numbers reflect typical pay before overtime, bonuses, or benefits. Location and experience both shape where an individual hygienist lands within that range.

Illinois pay sits 1% below the national figures of $47.16 an hour and $98,100 a year, according to the same May 2025 data. That places Illinois 25th among the 50 states for Dental Hygienist pay. The state's 8,970 Dental Hygienists make up a sizable workforce, large enough to produce reliable pay figures across most Illinois cities. A gap this small often tracks differences in local living costs rather than anything else.

Entry-level positions in Illinois typically offer around $35.71 an hour, or about $74,280 a year, according to May 2025 wage data. New Dental Hygienists usually start near this figure and see pay climb as they gain experience and build a patient base. Within a few years, many reach the typical statewide figure of $96,670 a year. The climb reflects both added skill and the trust that comes with a longer track record.

Experienced Dental Hygienists in Illinois often earn upwards of $48.94 an hour (about $101,800 a year), and the top 10% of earners make over $56.93 an hour, or $118,410 a year. That leaves a spread of $44,130 between entry-level and top pay statewide. Practice setting, years on the job, and city all factor into where someone falls in that range. Hygienists in larger metro practices, particularly in Chicago, tend toward the higher end.

Illinois Dental Hygienist pay rose from $70,960 in 2015 to $96,670 in 2025, according to the latest decade of government wage data. That is a gain of $25,710, a 36% increase over ten years. The rise was not perfectly steady, with pay dipping slightly in a couple of years before climbing more sharply after 2023. Even so, the overall decade trend points clearly upward.

Nationally, Dental Hygienist pay also rose 36% over the same ten years, so Illinois tracked the national pace exactly rather than falling behind or pulling ahead. For someone starting out now, that history shows steady upward movement over the past decade, though it offers no guarantee about future years. Past growth simply reflects what happened, not a forecast of what comes next.

Chicago pays Dental Hygienists the most in Illinois, with typical pay of $100,260 a year ($48.20 an hour) across the metro area. That is about 4% above the statewide figure of $96,670. Rockford follows at $86,120 a year, still well ahead of several smaller Illinois metro areas. Pay in the state's largest metro area reflects both its size and the number of dental practices located there.

Peoria has the lowest typical pay in Illinois at $77,870 a year ($37.44 an hour), a $22,390 spread from the highest-paying city. Chicago also has the largest Dental Hygienist workforce in the state, with about 6,470 working there. Figures for each city cover its full metro area, not just city limits. Lower pay in smaller metro areas usually reflects a lower cost of living.

Illinois pay compares closely with neighboring Wisconsin, where Dental Hygienists earn about $96,540 a year, essentially even with the Illinois figure. Missouri and Indiana both come in 4% lower, at $92,750 and $92,330 a year, while Iowa runs 13% lower at $84,010 and Kentucky trails by 18% at $78,830. Dental hygiene licensure can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which can simplify a move across state lines.

Dental Hygienists in Illinois typically earn $96,670 a year, close to the national figure and up 36% over the past decade from $70,960 in 2015. Pay varies by city, with Chicago at the top and Peoria at the lower end of the range. Readers considering the field can check the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for licensing requirements, and review city-specific pages for local pay figures.