Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Decatur, IL: $40.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Decatur, IL runs $40.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,928 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Decatur's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.4, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,959 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Illinois, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $40.83, which is significantly lower than the national median of $49.49. This discrepancy can greatly affect part-time workers who typically work around three days a week, potentially earning around $3,910 per month for 24 hours or approximately $46,920 per year. The hourly wage also offers flexibility for those considering per-diem work in various settings such as general dentistry, pediatric clinics, and public health. In Decatur, the hourly pay spans a wide range, from $34.29 at the 10th percentile to $51.71 at the 90th percentile, allowing for varying levels of experience and expertise within this critical role. This data comes directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ensuring a reliable insight into the local pay structure for dental hygienists.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.29 | $274.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.55 | $316.42 |
| Median (P50) | $40.83 | $326.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.80 | $350.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.71 | $413.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Decatur
Based on $40.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.83/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Decatur, IL can expect to earn approximately $84,931 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,999. With a cost-of-living index of 88.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Decatur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Decatur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,633.29 | $7,078 | $84,931 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $979.97 | $4,247 | $50,959 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $653.31 | $2,831 | $33,972 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Decatur) | $40.83 |
| 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 Decatur, IL earn a median of $84,928 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.50% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.10% below the Illinois state average of $85,013.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.83/hr = $50,959/year (purchasing power: $57,631).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,931/year (purchasing power: $96,052).
CoL index: 88.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$27.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.83/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+54.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Decatur (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $27.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Decatur grew 39.8% from $27.83/hr (2020) to $38.91/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.85/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 Decatur 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 Decatur
When evaluating earning potential, part-time dental hygienists in Decatur may find themselves earning about $46,920 annually, which contrasts sharply with full-time counterparts who work 40 hours a week. For those seeking temporary work through per diem roles or agency placements, the potential pay can range from $40 to $60 an hour. High-cost living cities like San Francisco and New York sometimes offer even higher rates, though this scenario is less common for dental hygienists. Pay scales also differ based on employer types—those working in private practices might earn less compared to those in corporate Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Aspen. Many hygienists may choose lower pay for positions that provide health benefits, making negotiations critical. Understanding the local market and the trade-offs associated with different employer types could enhance one’s financial prospects in Decatur, IL.
More salary data for Decatur, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Decatur. 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