Dental Hygienist Salary in Belleville, IL: $81,097 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Belleville, IL earns a median $81,097/year (≈ $38.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Belleville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $83,519 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in Belleville, Illinois, sits at $81,097, which is significantly lower than the national median of $102,946. The salary range for this role spans from $65,234 at the lower tenth percentile to $100,352 at the ninetieth, reflecting a competitive yet constrained local market. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, indicate a purchasing power challenge for dental hygienists in the area due to Belleville's cost-of-living index of 97.1, which is below the national average. With a limited number of employed professionals—only 10 dental hygienists reported in Belleville—this sector is relatively small, suggesting that opportunities may vary and could depend heavily on local demand for dental services.
About the Belleville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,078) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,234 | $31.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,576 | $33.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,097 | $38.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,479 | $42.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,352 | $48.25 |
Median Salary Position
21.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Belleville
In Belleville, IL, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,118 (2026 est.). At $81,097, the local median is 21.22% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Belleville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Belleville Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Belleville median: $81,097/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Belleville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,007 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -21.22% less |
Dental Hygienists in Belleville, IL earn a median of $81,097 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.22% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $85,007.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Belleville 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.
Belleville, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $81,097 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,519 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$72,110
2025 BLS Actual
$77,279
2026 Current Est.
$81,097
2020–2027 Growth
+18.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Belleville (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $72,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,862 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,255 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,819 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,279 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,097 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,103 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Belleville metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 7.2% from $72,110 (2020) to $77,279 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,103 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,993 (18.02%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Belleville 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) | $65,234 – $70,576 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,576 – $81,097 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,097 – $88,479 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,479 – $100,352 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Belleville
The job market for dental hygienists in Belleville reflects a blend of local opportunities and economic realities. With a modest number of positions available, understanding employer types is crucial for maximizing earnings. Generally, large Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen tend to offer the highest salaries among local employers, particularly as they often provide sign-on bonuses that can enhance initial compensation for new graduates. However, smaller solo practices might offer different benefits, such as flexible schedules, though they may lack health coverage. The variation in pay is also influenced by factors like productivity-based compensation agreements and the number of days worked per week. Strategies to boost income could include seeking employment with a well-established DSO or negotiating for benefits that provide more security than what a solo practice might offer. Understanding these dynamics is essential for those considering how much dental hygienists make in Belleville, IL, and how to advance their careers effectively.
More salary data for Belleville, 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
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 $77,279 for dental hygienistsin the Belleville 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 Belleville 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