Dental Hygienist Salary in Gurnee, IL: $83,788 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Gurnee, IL earns a median $83,788/year (≈ $40.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Gurnee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $86,290 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gurnee, IL, projected data for 2026 indicates that dental hygienists can anticipate a median annual salary of $83,788. This figure not only reflects local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data but also adjusts for Gurnee’s lower cost of living index of 97.1, suggesting that the purchasing power for dental hygienists is somewhat lower than the national average for this profession. The salary range extends from $65,000 at the 10th percentile to $101,070 at the 90th percentile, which showcases significant variation influenced by experience, workplace type, and specific roles. Given this context, the Gurnee job market supports a modest number of eight dental hygienists, pointing to a niche but potentially stable employment environment for professionals considering this locality.
About the Gurnee Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,078) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,000 | $31.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,146 | $34.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,788 | $40.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,570 | $43.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,070 | $48.59 |
Median Salary Position
18.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gurnee
In Gurnee, IL, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,070 (2026 est.). At $83,788, the local median is 18.61% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gurnee: You'd be above the median
How Gurnee Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Gurnee median: $83,788/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gurnee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,064 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -18.61% less |
Dental Hygienists in Gurnee, IL earn a median of $83,788 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.61% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $85,064.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gurnee 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.
Gurnee, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $83,788 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,290 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$74,503
2025 BLS Actual
$79,844
2026 Current Est.
$83,788
2020–2027 Growth
+18.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Gurnee (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $74,503 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,281 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,864 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,185 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,645 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,844 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,788 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,927 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gurnee metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 7.2% from $74,503 (2020) to $79,844 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,927 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,424 (18.02%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gurnee 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) | $65,000 – $71,146 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,146 – $83,788 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,788 – $89,570 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,570 – $101,070 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Gurnee
Working as a dental hygienist in Gurnee provides an interesting context due to the interplay between local demand and compensation structures. The presence of various employment settings—from solo dental practices to larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental and Aspen—further influences pay scales. Hygienists working in DSOs may find more attractive compensation packages, including sign-on bonuses and benefits, compared to those in independent practices that often lack health insurance options. Factors like production-based bonuses related to patient recall and recare retention also contribute to the pay disparity. For those aiming to maximize their income in Gurnee, considering a position in a DSO or negotiating schedules to increase working days could potentially enhance overall compensation. Choosing settings that prioritize patient management can lead to higher earnings, making it essential for dental hygienists to evaluate employment options carefully in this evolving market.
More salary data for Gurnee, 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 $79,844 for dental hygienistsin the Gurnee 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 Gurnee 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