Dental Hygienist Pay

Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Romeoville, IL: $39.12 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Romeoville, IL runs $39.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,380 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Romeoville's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,824 per year.

$81,380
Median Annual Salary
$39.12/hr
Hourly Rate
$65,923
Entry Level (P10)
$101,448
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Hygienist Hourly Rate in Romeoville, IL — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Romeoville, IL dental hygienist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Romeoville, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $39.12 in 2026, which reflects a notable gap when compared to the national median of $49.49. This hourly wage positions dental hygienists well within the local market, offering valuable earnings to those who choose part-time or per-diem roles in various settings. For instance, working three days a week could result in solid income for hygienists, especially in environments like general dentistry offices, pediatric clinics, and public health mobile units. The hourly rates in Romeoville range from an entry-level $31.69 to a top-end $48.78 for more experienced practitioners, aligning with the city's compensation dynamics while considering the local cost of living index of 97.1, which is below the national average.

About the Romeoville Market

Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,078) adjusted for local cost of living.

Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$31.69$253.54
Lower Range (P25)$34.21$273.68
Median (P50)$39.12$312.97
Upper Range (P75)$42.78$342.27
Top Earners (P90)$48.78$390.21

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Romeoville

Based on $39.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a dental hygienist in Romeoville earning $39.12/hr would make approximately $46,946 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $81,373 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$46,946Reduced (32 hr/wk)$62,595Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$81,373

At $39.12/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Romeoville, IL can expect to earn approximately $81,373 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,946. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Romeoville.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$312.97
per 8hr shift
$1,564.87
per week
$6,781
per month
$81,373
per year

Schedule Comparison in Romeoville

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$1,564.87$6,781$81,373
Part-Time (24 hrs)$938.92$4,069$48,824
Per Diem (16 hrs)$625.95$2,712$32,549

Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Dental Hygienist (Romeoville)$39.12
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
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental hygienist median salary in Romeoville ($81,380) with Illinois average ($85,036) and the US national median ($102,946).Romeoville$81,380Illinois Avg$85,036-4.30%US National$102,946-20.95%

Dental Hygienists in Romeoville, IL earn a median of $81,380 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.95% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.30% below the Illinois state average of $85,036.

Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $39.12/hr = $48,824/year (purchasing power: $50,282).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,373/year (purchasing power: $83,803).

CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2020 BLS Actual

$34.79/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$37.28/hr

2026 Current Est.

$39.12/hr

2020–2027 Growth

+18.0%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Romeoville (20202027)

2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for dental hygienists in Romeoville. Baseline $34.79/hr in 2025, projected to $41.05/hr by 2027.$33$36$39$41$44202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$34.79$35.15$36.83$42.58$40.28$37.28$39.12$41.05
YearHourly RateStatus
2020$34.79/hrActual
2021$35.15/hrActual
2022$36.83/hrActual
2023$42.58/hrActual
2024$40.28/hrActual
2025$37.28/hrActual
2026(current)$39.12/hrEstimated
2027$41.05/hrProjected

Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Romeoville grew 7.2% from $34.79/hr (2020) to $37.28/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.05/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20202025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Romeoville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Romeoville

When evaluating part-time earning potential, a dental hygienist working 24 hours a week may expect to summon a different financial picture than full-time colleagues. Annually, a part-timer bringing home $39.12 per hour could earn roughly $61,306, which illustrates the income disparity for those opting for less than full-time work. In addition, per diem positions often offer flexible options for hygienists, with pay typically falling between $40-$60 per hour in many urban settings, although higher costs of living regions can yield rates of $60-$85 per hour. The type of employer also substantially impacts pay; solo practices generally exhibit lower rates compared to larger groups or DSOs like Heartland or Aspen, which may sweeten compensation with sign-on bonuses. Some choose to prioritize benefits over higher hourly pay, understanding that stability often outweighs hourly increases. Effective negotiation strategies for hourly workers in Romeoville could include leveraging local market conditions and showcasing clinical experience to secure optimal pay while navigating these varying factors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Romeoville in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Romeoville is $39.12/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.94% annual growth). Rates range from $31.69 at entry level (10th percentile) to $48.78 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 20.9% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Romeoville?

A part-time dental hygienist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Romeoville earns approximately $4,069/month, or $48,824/year at the median hourly rate of $39.12. Many dental hygienists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are dental hygienists in Romeoville paid hourly or salary?

The majority of dental hygienists in Romeoville are paid hourly at a median rate of $39.12/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $81,373/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Romeoville?

A full-time dental hygienist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Romeoville earns approximately $81,373/year at the median hourly rate of $39.12. This is 20.9% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $101,454/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Romeoville?

Part-time and per diem dental hygienists in Romeoville sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $48.78/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

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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

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 Romeoville. 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 Romeoville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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