Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Champaign, IL: $40.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Champaign, IL runs $40.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,117 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Champaign's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,076 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Champaign, Illinois, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to be $40.93, significantly lower than the national median of $49.49. This wage impacts various work arrangements, especially for part-time and per diem dental hygienists, who may work in diverse settings such as general dentistry operatories and public health organizations. With hourly earnings ranging from $38.03 for entry-level positions to $49.73 for the highest earners, the income potential is noteworthy for professionals in the area. As the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights, such earnings provide a reasonable livelihood but reflect the unique economic dynamics of Champaign compared to larger markets.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.03 | $304.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.72 | $317.76 |
| Median (P50) | $40.93 | $327.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.10 | $392.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.73 | $397.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Champaign
Based on $40.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.93/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Champaign, IL can expect to earn approximately $85,127 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,112. With a cost-of-living index of 92.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Champaign.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Champaign
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,637.06 | $7,094 | $85,127 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $982.24 | $4,256 | $51,076 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $654.83 | $2,838 | $34,051 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Champaign) | $40.93 |
| 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 Champaign, IL earn a median of $85,117 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.32% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $85,032.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.93/hr = $51,076/year (purchasing power: $55,096).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,127/year (purchasing power: $91,827).
CoL index: 92.704 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$29.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.93/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+44.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Champaign (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $29.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Champaign grew 31.2% from $29.72/hr (2020) to $39.00/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.95/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 Champaign 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 Champaign
Analyzing the part-time potential, a dental hygienist working three days a week (about 24 hours) can expect to take home approximately $51,412 annually, while full-time professionals earning a higher hourly rate and working 40 hours a week can reach incomes well above that. The per diem dental hygienist pay in Champaign varies, with many opting for flexibility and earning $40-60 per hour through temp agencies—much less than what their counterparts might make in high-cost areas like San Francisco and New York City, where pay can skyrocket. Compensation also fluctuates depending on employer type; those in solo practices may earn less than those in Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Aspen, which often provide benefits that influence hourly rates. When negotiating pay, dental hygienists in Champaign should consider their priorities, such as opting for higher hourly wages without health benefits or choosing a lower rate that includes comprehensive coverage.
More salary data for Champaign, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Champaign in 2026?
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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 Champaign. 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