Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Urbana, IL: $40.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Urbana, IL runs $40.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,807 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Urbana's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,880 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbana, Illinois, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to be $40.77 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $49.49 per hour. This rate can be quite impactful for both part-time and per-diem hygienists, particularly as many in this profession work in varied settings such as general dentistry offices, specialty periodontal clinics, and public health mobile units. With the hourly pay range extending from $33.68 for entry-level positions up to $51.59 for experienced professionals, opportunities exist for earning potential that accommodates both those just starting their careers and seasoned hygienists aiming for higher compensation. It’s essential to consider that these hourly figures are derived from annual salary estimates and will reflect the ongoing demand and employment trends within the local market.
About the Urbana Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,078) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.68 | $269.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.13 | $289.05 |
| Median (P50) | $40.77 | $326.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.05 | $360.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.59 | $412.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbana
Based on $40.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.77/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbana, IL can expect to earn approximately $84,800 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,923. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,630.77 | $7,067 | $84,800 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $978.46 | $4,240 | $50,880 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $652.31 | $2,827 | $33,920 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Urbana) | $40.77 |
| 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 Urbana, IL earn a median of $84,807 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.62% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.30% below the Illinois state average of $85,062.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.77/hr = $50,880/year (purchasing power: $52,400).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,800/year (purchasing power: $87,333).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$35.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.77/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+21.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Urbana (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $35.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Urbana grew 10.6% from $35.13/hr (2020) to $38.85/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.78/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 Urbana 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 Urbana
When evaluating part-time opportunities in Urbana, a dental hygienist working three days a week could realistically expect to earn substantially less on an annual basis compared to full-time counterparts. For instance, working approximately 24 hours weekly means that the annual income can fall significantly short of what full-time positions yield. Various work arrangements, such as per diem roles, tend to pay between $40 and $60 per hour in many urban settings. While temporary positions pay well, they can lack benefits found in full-time jobs, prompting some dental hygienists to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and job stability, particularly in larger dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental. Additionally, pay rates can vary widely depending on employer type, with dental clinics, multi-doctor practices, and public health departments often offering different compensation structures, making negotiation important for those entering the field or moving to a new role. Engaging in discussions about pay can be advantageous, especially in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Urbana, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Urbana in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Urbana?
Are dental hygienists in Urbana paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Urbana?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Urbana?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Urbana. 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 Urbana is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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