Dental Hygienist Salary in Bloomington, IL: $82,084 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Bloomington, IL earns a median $82,084/year (≈ $39.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $87,756 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With 130 dental hygienists currently employed in Bloomington, IL, the job market for this profession appears stable, reflecting a consistent demand amidst moderate growth. In 2026, the median annual salary for dental hygienists in this city is projected to be $82,084, significantly below the national median of $102,946. The salary range extends from $70,908 at the 10th percentile to $104,027 at the 90th percentile, revealing a varied compensation landscape based on experience and specific employment situations. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and illustrate the local variations in dental hygienist pay in Bloomington, which may stem from factors such as the presence of diverse types of dental practices in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,908 | $34.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,670 | $38.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,084 | $39.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,696 | $47.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,027 | $50.01 |
Median Salary Position
20.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IL, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,119 (2026 est.). At $82,084, the local median is 20.26% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bloomington Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $82,084/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,061 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -20.26% less |
Dental Hygienists in Bloomington, IL earn a median of $82,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.26% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.50% below the Illinois state average of $85,061.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 6.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IL has a cost-of-living index of 93.537 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $82,084 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,756 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.91% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$69,550
2025 BLS Actual
$78,220
2026 Current Est.
$82,084
2020–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Bloomington (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $69,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,084 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,139 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 12.5% from $69,550 (2020) to $78,220 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,139 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,589 (23.85%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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) | $70,908 – $79,670 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,670 – $82,084 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,084 – $98,696 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,696 – $104,027 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Bloomington
Examining the local job market further, the cost-of-living index in Bloomington stands at 93.537, which is below the national average, making salary figures more favorable in terms of take-home purchasing power compared to other regions. Among local employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often offer the highest salaries due to their ability to provide comprehensive benefits packages and incentives, such as signing bonuses geared towards new graduates. The variations in dental hygienist pay in Bloomington can be attributed to several factors, including production-based bonuses, the number of days worked per week, and the substantial benefits gap between private practices and DSOs. Dental hygienists looking for ways to maximize their earnings in this market should consider seeking positions with DSOs or negotiating for bonuses and benefits that can enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Bloomington, 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 $78,220 for dental hygienistsin the Bloomington 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
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