Dental Hygienist Pay

Carol Stream vs Chicago: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Carol Stream, IL and Chicago, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carol Stream, IL
$82,436
$39.64/hr
Chicago, IL
$105,213
$50.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarol Stream, ILChicago, IL
Median Salary$82,436$105,213
Hourly Rate$39.64$50.58
Entry Level (P10)$61,720$77,949
25th Percentile$73,373$90,595
75th Percentile$91,397$107,396
Top Earner (P90)$104,811$124,259
Total Employed106,470
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carol Stream ($82,436) and Chicago ($105,213) dental hygienist salaries.Carol StreamChicagoMedian Salary$82,436$105,213Entry Level (P10)$61,720$77,949Top Earner (P90)$104,811$124,259US Median $102,946

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Carol Stream.

The salary gap between Carol Stream and Chicago is $22,777 (27.63%). Chicago's median is +2.20% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carol Stream spans $43,091,Chicago spans $46,310. Chicago has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Carol Stream
P10 (Entry)$61,720
P25$73,373
Median$82,436
P75$91,397
P90 (Top)$104,811
Chicago
P10 (Entry)$77,949
P25$90,595
Median$105,213
P75$107,396
P90 (Top)$124,259

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($101,562 effective) pays 19.63% more than Carol Stream ($84,898 effective).

Carol Stream
Nominal: $82,436
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $84,898
Chicago
Nominal: $105,213
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $101,562

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carol Stream if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,213/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($124,259)
  • Larger job market (6,470 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,562)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Carol Stream grew 7.2% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 30.8% growth in Chicago over the same period.

Carol Stream, IL

+7.2%

$73,301 (2020) → $78,555 (2025)

Chicago, IL

+30.8%

$76,640 (2020) → $100,260 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Carol Stream or Chicago?

Chicago has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $105,213/year, compared to Carol Stream at $82,436/year — a difference of $22,777 (27.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carol Stream and Chicago?

Carol Stream dental hygienists earn $39.64/hr while Chicago hygienists earn $50.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carol Stream to Chicago as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carol Stream and Chicago. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carol Stream = $84,898, Chicago = $101,562), job availability (10 vs 6,470 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Carol Stream vs Chicago?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $61,720 in Carol Stream and $77,949 in Chicago. The Chicago area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov