Dental Hygienist Salary in Peoria, IL: $81,717 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Peoria, IL earns a median $81,717/year (≈ $39.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Peoria's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.2), that paycheck buys what $89,572 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With 270 dental hygienists employed in Peoria, Illinois, the job market for this profession reflects a moderate level of market saturation and growth potential. In 2026, the projected median annual salary stands at $81,717, which is notably below the national median of $102,946. The salary range for dental hygienists in this region extends from $68,767 at the 10th percentile to $100,554 at the 90th percentile, suggesting varying opportunities depending on factors such as experience, work settings, and additional incentives. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a comprehensive view of the dental hygienist salary in Peoria.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,767 | $33.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,391 | $39.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,717 | $39.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,823 | $40.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,554 | $48.35 |
Median Salary Position
20.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Peoria
In Peoria, IL, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,787 (2026 est.). At $81,717, the local median is 20.62% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Peoria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Peoria Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Peoria median: $81,717/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Peoria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,033 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -20.62% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Peoria has a cost of living 8.77% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Peoria, IL has a cost-of-living index of 91.231 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $81,717 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,572 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.61% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2020 BLS Actual
$68,220
2025 BLS Actual
$77,870
2026 Current Est.
$81,717
2020–2027 Growth
+25.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Peoria (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $68,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,717 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,754 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Peoria metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 14.1% from $68,220 (2020) to $77,870 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,754 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,534 (25.70%) from 2020.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $68,767 – $81,391 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,391 – $81,717 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,717 – $84,823 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,823 – $100,554 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Peoria
Working as a dental hygienist in Peoria IL can have distinct implications on take-home salary due to the local cost of living index, which is positioned at 91.231—indicating lower living costs compared to the national average. This environment typically allows for more disposable income, although the disparity in pay between employers can be significant. Multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen often offer the most competitive wages, supplemented by sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits packages. The pay spread is influenced by various factors, including production-based bonuses linked to patient recall and retention, which can enhance earnings potential. To maximize dental hygienist pay in Peoria, focusing on roles within these structured environments and negotiating for bonuses or benefits can be effective strategies, especially as industry standards continue to evolve.
More salary data for Peoria, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Peoria, IL in 2026?
Is Peoria, IL a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Peoria?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Peoria?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Peoria?
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
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 $77,870 for dental hygienistsin the Peoria 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