Dental Hygienist Salary in Waukegan, IL: $85,145 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Waukegan, IL earns a median $85,145/year (≈ $40.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Waukegan's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $87,688 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukegan, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $85,145, which reflects a notable difference of approximately 17.29% lower than the national median of $102,946 for the same year. The salary range showcases the profession's diversity, with earnings spanning from $63,471 at the 10th percentile to as high as $113,648 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for Illinois' regional price parities, indicating a relatively stable employment landscape for dental hygiene professionals. Given Waukegan's cost of living index at 97.1, dental hygienists can expect their salaries to maintain significant purchasing power despite being lower than the national figures.
About the Waukegan Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,078) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,471 | $30.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,756 | $34.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,145 | $40.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,831 | $45.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,648 | $54.64 |
Median Salary Position
17.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukegan
In Waukegan, IL, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,177 (2026 est.). At $85,145, the local median is 17.29% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukegan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukegan Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Waukegan median: $85,145/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukegan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,060 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -17.29% less |
Dental Hygienists in Waukegan, IL earn a median of $85,145 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.29% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $85,060.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukegan has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waukegan, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $85,145 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,688 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$75,710
2025 BLS Actual
$81,137
2026 Current Est.
$85,145
2020–2027 Growth
+18.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Waukegan (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $75,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,142 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,662 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,607 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,137 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,145 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,351 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukegan metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 7.2% from $75,710 (2020) to $81,137 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,351 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,641 (18.02%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukegan 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $63,471 – $70,756 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,756 – $85,145 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,145 – $93,831 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,831 – $113,648 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Waukegan
Examining the local job market for dental hygienists reveals a workforce of 18 employed in Waukegan, offering a modest pool of opportunity while reflecting the area's healthcare demands. With a cost-of-living index below the national average, Waukegan dental hygienists might find that their salaries translate favorably into real-world spending capabilities. Among local employers, multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental tend to offer the highest compensation, often complemented by production-based bonuses tied to patient retention and recall rates. These factors contribute to the salary spread, as many hygienists in private practices may not receive extensive benefits, while DSOs frequently provide full health coverage alongside enticing sign-on bonuses. To enhance earning potential, aspiring hygienists in Waukegan should consider pursuing opportunities within DSOs and minimizing days worked per week, capitalizing on high productivity and bonus incentives.
More salary data for Waukegan, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $81,137 for dental hygienistsin the Waukegan metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Waukegan 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