Dental Hygienist Salary in Evanston, IL: $84,546 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Evanston, IL earns a median $84,546/year (≈ $40.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Evanston's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $87,071 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Evanston, Illinois can expect a median annual salary of $84,546, which is notably lower than the national median of $102,946. The salary range for this occupation in the city spans from $62,062 at the lower end (P10) to $111,427 at the upper end (P90). These figures are based on projections derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, underscoring the impact of local economic conditions on dental hygienist pay Evanston IL. Given the competitive job market, with only 16 dental hygienists currently employed in the area, these numbers reflect the specific dynamics and opportunities present in Evanston's healthcare environment.
About the Evanston Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,078) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,062 | $29.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,535 | $33.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,546 | $40.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,801 | $46.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,427 | $53.57 |
Median Salary Position
17.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evanston
In Evanston, IL, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,365 (2026 est.). At $84,546, the local median is 17.87% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Evanston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Evanston Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Evanston median: $84,546/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Evanston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,056 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -17.87% less |
Dental Hygienists in Evanston, IL earn a median of $84,546 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.87% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $85,056.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Evanston has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Evanston, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $84,546 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,071 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% 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
$75,177
2025 BLS Actual
$80,566
2026 Current Est.
$84,546
2020–2027 Growth
+18.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Evanston (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $75,177 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,962 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,578 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,009 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,566 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,546 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,723 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Evanston metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 7.2% from $75,177 (2020) to $80,566 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,723 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,546 (18.02%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evanston 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) | $62,062 – $69,535 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,535 – $84,546 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,546 – $95,801 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,801 – $111,427 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Evanston
The job market for dental hygienists in Evanston presents some unique factors that influence compensation. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, living expenses in the area are somewhat lower than the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of employees. Employers that typically offer higher salaries include Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental and Aspen, particularly due to their capacity for production-based bonuses and sign-on incentives, appealing to new graduates. The salary differences often arise from factors such as variable work schedules—those with more frequent workdays may access different benefits, dictating overall compensation. For dental hygienists aiming to maximize their earnings, exploring opportunities in DSOs, understanding the potential for bonuses linked to performance metrics, and advocating for comprehensive benefits packages can be effective strategies in Evanston’s market.
More salary data for Evanston, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Evanston, IL in 2026?
Is Evanston, IL a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Evanston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Evanston?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Evanston?
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 $80,566 for dental hygienistsin the Evanston 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
Salary data for Evanston 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