Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Elmhurst, IL: $38.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Elmhurst, IL runs $38.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,430 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Elmhurst's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,261 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elmhurst, Illinois, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $38.67 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national hourly median of $49.49, highlighting the regional pay disparity. For part-time hygienists—who may work three days a week—the earnings can accumulate based on the hours worked, but they remain below the national average. In Elmhurst, hourly rates for dental hygienists range from $30.59 for entry-level positions to $47.34 for experienced professionals. Such variations reflect the diverse settings in which dental hygienists operate, including general dentistry practices and periodontal specialty offices, illustrating how different environments can impact compensation.
About the Elmhurst Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,078) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.59 | $244.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.28 | $266.21 |
| Median (P50) | $38.67 | $309.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.76 | $334.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.34 | $378.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elmhurst
Based on $38.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.67/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elmhurst, IL can expect to earn approximately $80,434 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,404. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elmhurst.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elmhurst
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,546.82 | $6,703 | $80,434 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $928.09 | $4,022 | $48,261 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $618.73 | $2,681 | $32,174 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Elmhurst) | $38.67 |
| 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 Elmhurst, IL earn a median of $80,430 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.87% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.40% below the Illinois state average of $85,021.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.67/hr = $48,261/year (purchasing power: $49,702).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,434/year (purchasing power: $82,837).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$34.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.67/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+18.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Elmhurst (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $34.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Elmhurst grew 7.2% from $34.38/hr (2020) to $36.85/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.58/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 Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst
Considering part-time options, a dental hygienist working 24 hours a week could potentially take home about $48,000 annually, significantly less than what a full-time counterpart would earn. Per diems and agency roles present additional earning opportunities, with pay often reaching $40-$60 per hour, especially in high-cost-of-living cities. The type of employer in Elmhurst also shapes pay; those within Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) or specialized practices may offer different compensation structures compared to traditional private practices. Many hygienists find themselves weighing the trade-off between lower hourly rates with benefits and higher pay rates lacking immediate health insurance. For negotiation, it’s beneficial for professionals to research local standards and demonstrate the value they bring, ensuring they secure the best possible dental hygienist hourly rate in IL.
More salary data for Elmhurst, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Elmhurst in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Elmhurst?
Are dental hygienists in Elmhurst paid hourly or salary?
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Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Elmhurst?
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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 Elmhurst. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Elmhurst is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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