Dental Hygienist Salary in Oak Park, IL: $84,404 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Oak Park, IL earns a median $84,404/year (≈ $40.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Oak Park's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $86,925 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Oak Park, Illinois, will see a median annual salary of $84,404, which is notably lower than the projected national median of $102,946, reflecting a wage difference of 18.01%. The salary range for this profession ranges from $61,731 at the 10th percentile to $105,812 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation landscape based on experience and workplace type. Given that the cost of living index for Oak Park is 97.1, below the national average, the purchasing power for dental hygienists working locally may provide a relative advantage. This context creates a unique job market for dental hygienists, affecting potential earnings and work-life balance within the community.
About the Oak Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,078) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,731 | $29.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,313 | $35.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,404 | $40.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,124 | $44.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,812 | $50.87 |
Median Salary Position
18.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Park
In Oak Park, IL, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,081 (2026 est.). At $84,404, the local median is 18.01% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Park: You'd be above the median
How Oak Park Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Oak Park median: $84,404/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $84,999 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -18.01% less |
Dental Hygienists in Oak Park, IL earn a median of $84,404 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.01% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.70% below the Illinois state average of $84,999.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Park 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.
Oak Park, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $84,404 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,925 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$75,052
2025 BLS Actual
$80,431
2026 Current Est.
$84,404
2020–2027 Growth
+18.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Oak Park (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $75,052 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,835 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,444 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,856 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,888 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,431 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,404 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,574 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Park metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 7.2% from $75,052 (2020) to $80,431 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,574 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,522 (18.02%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Park 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) | $61,731 – $74,313 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,313 – $84,404 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,404 – $92,124 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,124 – $105,812 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Oak Park
With only 10 dental hygienists currently employed in Oak Park, the local job market offers limited competition but specific opportunities for strategic career growth. The relatively lower cost of living enhances the take-home pay of hygienists, especially when considering the wide salary range influenced by practice type. Multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) tend to offer higher wages, often incorporating production-based bonuses and comprehensive benefits packages. In contrast, solo practices may lack health insurance offerings, leading to disparities in total compensation. To maximize earning potential in Oak Park, professionals should seek employment with DSOs or larger group practices that provide not only better pay but also significant benefits. Additionally, understanding the nuances of scheduling—such as opting for a 4-day workweek—can further improve take-home income, giving dental hygienists a more favorable financial outlook in this market.
More salary data for Oak Park, 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 $80,431 for dental hygienistsin the Oak Park 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 Oak Park 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