Dental Hygienist Pay

Springfield vs Woodridge: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Springfield, IL and Woodridge, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Springfield, IL
$87,174
$41.91/hr
Woodridge, IL
$83,537
$40.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpringfield, ILWoodridge, IL
Median Salary$87,174$83,537
Hourly Rate$41.91$40.16
Entry Level (P10)$82,504$64,298
25th Percentile$86,208$70,624
75th Percentile$102,348$89,065
Top Earner (P90)$103,450$100,067
Total Employed2809
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Springfield ($87,174) and Woodridge ($83,537) dental hygienist salaries.SpringfieldWoodridgeMedian Salary$87,174$83,537Entry Level (P10)$82,504$64,298Top Earner (P90)$103,450$100,067US Median $102,946

Verdict

Springfield, IL offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Woodridge.

The salary gap between Springfield and Woodridge is $3,637 (4.35%). Springfield's median is -15.32% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Springfield spans $20,946,Woodridge spans $35,769. Woodridge has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Springfield
P10 (Entry)$82,504
P25$86,208
Median$87,174
P75$102,348
P90 (Top)$103,450
Woodridge
P10 (Entry)$64,298
P25$70,624
Median$83,537
P75$89,065
P90 (Top)$100,067

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($93,993 effective) pays 9.25% more than Woodridge ($86,032 effective).

Springfield
Nominal: $87,174
CoL Index: 92.745
Adjusted: $93,993
Woodridge
Nominal: $83,537
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $86,032

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,174/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,450)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $93,993)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Woodridge if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Springfield grew 14.2% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 7.2% growth in Woodridge over the same period.

Springfield, IL

+14.2%

$72,710 (2020) → $83,070 (2025)

Woodridge, IL

+7.2%

$74,280 (2020) → $79,605 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Springfield or Woodridge?

Springfield has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $87,174/year, compared to Woodridge at $83,537/year — a difference of $3,637 (4.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Springfield and Woodridge?

Springfield dental hygienists earn $41.91/hr while Woodridge hygienists earn $40.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Springfield to Woodridge as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Springfield and Woodridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Springfield = $93,993, Woodridge = $86,032), job availability (280 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Springfield vs Woodridge?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $82,504 in Springfield and $64,298 in Woodridge. The Springfield area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov