Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Des Plaines, IL: $39.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Des Plaines, IL runs $39.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,195 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Des Plaines's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,321 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Des Plaines, the hourly pay for dental hygienists is projected to be $39.52 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.49. This rate provides a solid foundation for part-time dental hygienists, who may work around three days a week, translating to approximately 24 hours on a schedule. For per-diem workers, this hourly rate means flexibility in various settings, from general dental practices and pediatric offices to public health clinics. Entry-level hygienists can begin at around $30.40, while those with substantial experience may earn as much as $49.97 per hour, illustrating a broad spectrum of earning potential based on expertise and the types of practices in which they work. It's essential to remember that these hourly rates are derived from estimates based on annual salary data, reflecting the unique dental hygiene landscape of IL.
About the Des Plaines 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) | $30.40 | $243.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.68 | $261.43 |
| Median (P50) | $39.52 | $316.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.39 | $347.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.97 | $399.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Plaines
Based on $39.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.52/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Plaines, IL can expect to earn approximately $82,202 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,424. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Des Plaines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Plaines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,580.82 | $6,850 | $82,202 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $948.49 | $4,110 | $49,321 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $632.33 | $2,740 | $32,881 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Des Plaines) | $39.52 |
| 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 Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $82,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.16% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $85,000.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.52/hr = $49,321/year (purchasing power: $50,795).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,202/year (purchasing power: $84,658).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$35.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.52/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+18.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Des Plaines (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $35.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Des Plaines grew 7.2% from $35.14/hr (2020) to $37.66/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.47/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 Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines
For part-time dental hygienists in Des Plaines, working a reduced schedule could lead to annual earnings of approximately $49,000, a significant difference compared to their full-time counterparts. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Des Plaines can fluctuate, particularly if individuals venture into agency jobs or locum tenens positions. While local rates can hover around the projected numbers, metropolitan areas with higher costs of living typically see hygiene professionals paid between $40-$60 per hour, and even more in cities like San Francisco or New York, where rates can soar to $60-$85. Different employer types significantly impact hourly pay; for instance, solo dental practices may offer lower rates compared to larger Dental Service Organizations like Heartland or Aspen, which often provide additional benefits such as health insurance. Negotiating for better compensation, particularly in Des Plaines, may hinge on highlighting specialized skills or experience, which can be particularly advantageous in a shifting workforce influenced by DSO consolidation and evolving industry standards.
More salary data for Des Plaines, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Des Plaines in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Des Plaines?
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Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Des Plaines?
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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 Des Plaines. 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 Des Plaines 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