Dental Hygienist Pay

Chicago vs Collinsville: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Chicago, IL and Collinsville, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chicago, IL
$105,213
$50.58/hr
Collinsville, IL
$83,142
$39.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILCollinsville, IL
Median Salary$105,213$83,142
Hourly Rate$50.58$39.97
Entry Level (P10)$77,949$63,423
25th Percentile$90,595$69,803
75th Percentile$107,396$89,901
Top Earner (P90)$124,259$101,967
Total Employed6,4705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($105,213) and Collinsville ($83,142) dental hygienist salaries.ChicagoCollinsvilleMedian Salary$105,213$83,142Entry Level (P10)$77,949$63,423Top Earner (P90)$124,259$101,967US Median $102,946

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Collinsville.

The salary gap between Chicago and Collinsville is $22,071 (26.55%). Chicago's median is +2.20% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chicago spans $46,310,Collinsville spans $38,544. Chicago has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$77,949
P25$90,595
Median$105,213
P75$107,396
P90 (Top)$124,259
Collinsville
P10 (Entry)$63,423
P25$69,803
Median$83,142
P75$89,901
P90 (Top)$101,967

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($101,562 effective) pays 18.61% more than Collinsville ($85,625 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $105,213
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $101,562
Collinsville
Nominal: $83,142
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $85,625

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,213/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($124,259)
  • Larger job market (6,470 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,562)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Collinsville if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Chicago grew 30.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 7.2% growth in Collinsville over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+30.8%

$76,640 (2020) → $100,260 (2025)

Collinsville, IL

+7.2%

$73,928 (2020) → $79,228 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Chicago or Collinsville?

Chicago has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $105,213/year, compared to Collinsville at $83,142/year — a difference of $22,071 (26.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Collinsville?

Chicago dental hygienists earn $50.58/hr while Collinsville hygienists earn $39.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chicago to Collinsville as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Collinsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $101,562, Collinsville = $85,625), job availability (6,470 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Chicago vs Collinsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $77,949 in Chicago and $63,423 in Collinsville. The Chicago area offers higher starting salaries.

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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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov