Dental Hygienist Salary in Springfield, IL: $87,174 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Springfield, IL earns a median $87,174/year (≈ $41.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Springfield's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $93,993 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With 280 dental hygienists employed in the local market, the dental hygienist salary in Springfield, IL, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $87,174 in 2026. This amount represents a significant opportunity for professionals in the field, especially when compared to the national median salary of $102,946. Salaries in Springfield range from $82,504 at the lowest 10th percentile to $103,450 at the highest 90th percentile, a variation that reflects both the competitive nature of the healthcare job market and the differing environments where hygienists practice. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and indicate a steady demand for hygienists, suggesting an expanding job market in this profession for the coming years.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,504 | $39.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,208 | $41.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,174 | $41.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,348 | $49.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,450 | $49.73 |
Median Salary Position
15.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
In Springfield, IL, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,946 (2026 est.). At $87,174, the local median is 15.32% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Springfield: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Springfield Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Springfield median: $87,174/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Springfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,047 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -15.32% less |
Dental Hygienists in Springfield, IL earn a median of $87,174 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.32% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.50% above the Illinois state average of $85,047.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Springfield has a cost of living 7.25% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Springfield, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.745 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $87,174 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,993 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.82% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$72,710
2025 BLS Actual
$83,070
2026 Current Est.
$87,174
2020–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Springfield (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $72,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,174 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,480 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Springfield metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 14.2% from $72,710 (2020) to $83,070 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,480 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,770 (25.81%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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) | $82,504 – $86,208 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,208 – $87,174 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,174 – $102,348 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,348 – $103,450 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Springfield
Analyzing the local job market, the cost of living index in Springfield stands at 92.745, below the national average, which benefits take-home purchasing power for dental hygienists. Among the various types of employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland Dental and Aspen tend to offer higher salaries and benefits compared to solo practices or public health clinics. The substantial wage disparity can be attributed to factors such as production-based bonuses and differing days-per-week schedules, with full-time roles often rewarding those who work four or five days. Additionally, sign-on bonuses from dental chains can provide enticing entry points for new graduates. To maximize pay in Springfield, professionals should consider joining DSOs, which typically provide more comprehensive benefit packages than private offices, which might not offer health insurance at all.
More salary data for Springfield, 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 $83,070 for dental hygienistsin the Springfield 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
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