Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Peoria, IL: $39.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Peoria, IL runs $39.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,717 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Peoria's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.2, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,033 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Peoria, Illinois, the projected dental hygienist hourly pay in 2026 stands at $39.29, which is significantly lower than the national median of $49.49 per hour. This hourly rate is particularly relevant for those working part-time, such as hygienists on a three-day workweek, as well as for per-diem dental hygienists who may operate across various settings like general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, or public health clinics. With an hourly range extending from $33.07 for entry-level positions to $48.35 for the most experienced professionals, there are opportunities for dental hygienists in Peoria to capitalize on their skills and experience while making a meaningful income.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.07 | $264.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.13 | $313.06 |
| Median (P50) | $39.29 | $314.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.78 | $326.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.35 | $386.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Peoria
Based on $39.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.29/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Peoria, IL can expect to earn approximately $81,722 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,147. With a cost-of-living index of 91.23 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Peoria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Peoria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,571.58 | $6,810 | $81,722 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $942.95 | $4,086 | $49,033 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $628.63 | $2,724 | $32,689 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Peoria) | $39.29 |
| 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 Peoria, IL earn a median of $81,717 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.62% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.90% below the Illinois state average of $85,033.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.29/hr = $49,033/year (purchasing power: $53,746).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,722/year (purchasing power: $89,577).
CoL index: 91.231 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$32.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.29/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+25.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Peoria (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $32.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Peoria grew 14.1% from $32.80/hr (2020) to $37.44/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.23/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 Peoria 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 Peoria
For part-time dental hygienists working roughly 24 hours a week, the annual income may amount to around $61,200, which contrasts sharply with full-time earnings. Many hygienists choose per-diem work, where rates offered by temporary agencies in larger metropolitan areas can range from $40 to $60 per hour, with some higher costs of living cities paying even more, although these situations are less common compared to positions in permanent practices. The hourly pay can also vary depending on the type of employer; for example, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) may offer different compensation structures compared to private practices or public health clinics. While some dental hygienists may accept lower hourly wages for the security of benefits, others are willing to negotiate for higher pay without those perks. Those embarking on negotiations in Peoria should be prepared to discuss their qualifications, local market rates, and potential benefits to secure an offer that meets their career and financial goals, particularly as the dental field evolves in response to industry consolidation and patient care models.
More salary data for Peoria, 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 Peoria. 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