Dental Hygienist Pay

Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Arlington Heights, IL: $40.22 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Arlington Heights, IL runs $40.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,671 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Arlington Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,199 per year.

$83,671
Median Annual Salary
$40.22/hr
Hourly Rate
$66,720
Entry Level (P10)
$108,748
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Hygienist Hourly Rate in Arlington Heights, IL — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Arlington Heights, IL dental hygienist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Arlington Heights, Illinois, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to be $40.22 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $49.49. This wage has implications for those seeking part-time roles in a variety of settings, including general dentistry operatories and public health clinics, where typical schedules might include three shifts of work per week. For per diem dental hygienists, this hourly compensation means they can earn between $32.08 and $52.28, depending on experience and demand. As a result, entry-level hygienists may start at the lower end of this scale while more experienced professionals can achieve earnings on the higher side in this competitive field.

About the Arlington Heights Market

Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,078) adjusted for local cost of living.

Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$32.08$256.64
Lower Range (P25)$35.00$279.98
Median (P50)$40.22$321.79
Upper Range (P75)$45.02$360.15
Top Earners (P90)$52.28$418.25

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Arlington Heights

Based on $40.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a dental hygienist in Arlington Heights earning $40.22/hr would make approximately $48,268 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $83,665 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$48,268Reduced (32 hr/wk)$64,358Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$83,665

At $40.22/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Arlington Heights, IL can expect to earn approximately $83,665 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,268. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Arlington Heights.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$321.79
per 8hr shift
$1,608.94
per week
$6,972
per month
$83,665
per year

Schedule Comparison in Arlington Heights

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$1,608.94$6,972$83,665
Part-Time (24 hrs)$965.36$4,183$50,199
Per Diem (16 hrs)$643.58$2,789$33,466

Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Dental Hygienist (Arlington Heights)$40.22
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
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental hygienist median salary in Arlington Heights ($83,671) with Illinois average ($85,031) and the US national median ($102,946).Arlington Heights$83,671Illinois Avg$85,031-1.60%US National$102,946-18.72%

Dental Hygienists in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $83,671 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.72% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $85,031.

Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $40.22/hr = $50,199/year (purchasing power: $51,698).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,665/year (purchasing power: $86,164).

CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2020 BLS Actual

$35.77/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$38.33/hr

2026 Current Est.

$40.22/hr

2020–2027 Growth

+18.0%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Arlington Heights (20202027)

2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for dental hygienists in Arlington Heights. Baseline $35.77/hr in 2025, projected to $42.21/hr by 2027.$34$37$40$43$45202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$35.77$36.14$37.86$43.78$41.79$38.33$40.22$42.21
YearHourly RateStatus
2020$35.77/hrActual
2021$36.14/hrActual
2022$37.86/hrActual
2023$43.78/hrActual
2024$41.79/hrActual
2025$38.33/hrActual
2026(current)$40.22/hrEstimated
2027$42.21/hrProjected

Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Arlington Heights grew 7.2% from $35.77/hr (2020) to $38.33/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.21/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20202025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Arlington Heights

Part-time dental hygienists in Arlington Heights who work three days a week for a total of 24 hours will see a notable difference in their annual earnings compared to full-time colleagues. With a consistent hourly rate, their income can remain quite competitive, even if it lacks the benefits that full-time positions typically provide. In the realm of per diem work, many hygienists may earn rates between $40 and $60 per hour. While larger cities with higher costs of living can push those earnings up to $60-85 on average, dental hygienists may find varied rates based on employer type. Solo practices generally offer different compensation structures than larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which might attract employees with enhanced benefits like health insurance, despite a lower hourly rate. Understanding the trade-off between hourly wages and benefits is crucial for those in the field, as some may prefer a higher hourly rate without benefits, while others may opt for more stability in traditional employment. When negotiating pay, professionals should assess not just the hourly figure but also the comprehensive compensation package that determines their long-term financial well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Arlington Heights in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Arlington Heights is $40.22/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.94% annual growth). Rates range from $32.08 at entry level (10th percentile) to $52.28 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 18.7% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Arlington Heights?

A part-time dental hygienist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Arlington Heights earns approximately $4,183/month, or $50,199/year at the median hourly rate of $40.22. Many dental hygienists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are dental hygienists in Arlington Heights paid hourly or salary?

The majority of dental hygienists in Arlington Heights are paid hourly at a median rate of $40.22/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $83,665/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Arlington Heights?

A full-time dental hygienist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Arlington Heights earns approximately $83,665/year at the median hourly rate of $40.22. This is 18.7% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $108,745/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Arlington Heights?

Part-time and per diem dental hygienists in Arlington Heights sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $52.28/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

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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

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 Arlington Heights. 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 Arlington Heights is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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