Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Bloomington, IL: $39.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Bloomington, IL runs $39.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,084 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Bloomington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.5, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,256 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bloomington, Illinois, the dental hygienist hourly pay stands at a median of $39.47, notably lower than the national median of $49.49. This variance reflects the local economic conditions and the demand for dental professionals in the region. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this translates to approximately $31,577 annually, making it essential to consider opportunities in various settings, including general dentistry offices, specialty practices, or public health clinics. The hourly pay scale ranges from $34.10 for entry-level positions to around $50.01 for top earners, illustrating the potential for financial growth as experience and skills increase. This information is drawn from official projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected for 2026.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.10 | $272.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.30 | $306.42 |
| Median (P50) | $39.47 | $315.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.45 | $379.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.01 | $400.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bloomington
Based on $39.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.47/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bloomington, IL can expect to earn approximately $82,093 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,362. With a cost-of-living index of 93.54 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bloomington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bloomington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,578.72 | $6,841 | $82,093 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $947.23 | $4,105 | $49,256 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $631.49 | $2,736 | $32,837 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Bloomington) | $39.47 |
| 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 Bloomington, IL earn a median of $82,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.26% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.50% below the Illinois state average of $85,061.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.47/hr = $49,256/year (purchasing power: $52,659).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,093/year (purchasing power: $87,766).
CoL index: 93.537 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$33.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.47/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Bloomington (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $33.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Bloomington grew 12.5% from $33.44/hr (2020) to $37.61/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.42/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 Bloomington 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 Bloomington
When looking at the earnings potential for part-time dental hygienists working in Bloomington, it becomes clear that they may take home significantly less compared to their full-time counterparts. An estimated annual income of around $31,577 for those working 24 hours a week might not reflect the true earning capacity available in full-time roles. For per diem dental hygienists, pay rates can vary from $40 to $60 per hour, especially when filling in through temp agencies or locum positions; however, these opportunities differ widely compared to conventional employment. In Bloomington, hourly rates vary considerably depending on the type of practice; solo offices may offer lower compensation compared to larger DSOs or specialty clinics, where structured pay scales can include benefits. This creates a trade-off for many hygienists who might accept lower hourly rates for job stability and health insurance. Those looking for positions in Bloomington should be prepared to negotiate based on their qualifications and also understand that flexibility can sometimes yield higher incremental pay in the per diem landscape.
More salary data for Bloomington, 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
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 Bloomington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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