How to become a Dental Hygienist in Illinois
If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in Illinois (IL) you will need to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program.
Requirements for entry into accredited programs in Illinois include a high school diploma or equivalent and, depending on the school, you may need to pass entrance exams and complete an entry interview. Medical and legal clearances may also be required.
Below we provide details of the top accredited dental hygienist programs in your state, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data.
Get started today and take the first steps towards your new career by reaching out to dental hygiene schools and related dental programs near you in Illinois
Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Illinois for 2023
| School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Illinois University | Carbondale | Program Page |
| Parkland College | Champaign | Program Page |
| Malcolm X College | Chicago | Program Page |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights | Program Page |
| Carl Sandburg College | Galesburg | Program Page |
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Program Page |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | Godfrey | Program Page |
| College of Lake County | Grayslake | Program Page |
| Lake Land College | Mattoon | Program Page |
| Harper College | Palatine | Program Page |
| Illinois Central College | Peoria | Program Page |
| Rock Valley College | Rockford | Program Page |
Schools offering dental hygiene programs which have been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) are recognized to maintain a high standard of education by the American Dental Association (ADA).
There are currently 12 CODA accredited programs in Illinois.
Colleges which appear to have been recently removed from the CODA accreditation list include;
- Fox College, Bedford Park
- John A Logan Collgee, Carterville
Once you have graduated from an accredited program you will be required to sit some additional state and/or national certification exams before you are eligible to apply for your dental hygienist license.
Illinois Dental Hygienist License Requirements
Once you have successfully graduated from an accredited program and have passed all additional certification exams it is a requirement of Illinois law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Professional Regulation governs the licensing of dental hygienists in Illinois. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Professional Regulation
Phone: (217) 785-0800
Website: http://www.isds.org/LawsLegislation/boardOfDentistry.asp
Dental Hygienist Salary in Illinois
| Salary | $71,930 |
| Hourly Wage | $34.58 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $46,940 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $97,140 |
| # Employed | 9,510 |
The average dental hygienist salary in Illinois is $71,930 – 4% below the national average of $74,680.
This represents an hourly wage of $34.58.
There are currently 9,510 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
Illinois Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in Illinois given the strong salary levels and jobs growth for the career.
Dental hygiene salaries are among some of the highest in the healthcare industry and it is projected that an additional 30,000 positions will be created in the sector between 2016 and 2024 representing an almost 15% increase in employment.
The table below provides a breakdown of salaries and employment of dental hygienists across the main towns, cities and non metro areas in Illinois. The highest salaries are paid to dental hygienists in Elgin (over 20% higher than the state average), whilst the highest level of employment is unsurprisingly in the Chicago – Naperville metro areas.
Area Number Employed Salary
Bloomington, IL 150 $56,050.00
Carbondale-Marion, IL 60 $75,320.00
Champaign-Urbana, IL 140 $53,850.00
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metropolitan Division 4180 $73,020.00
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI 5870 $73,800.00
Decatur, IL 100 $57,450.00
Elgin, IL Metropolitan Division 570 $86,380.00
Kankakee, IL 60 $70,580.00
Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division 610 $70,610.00
Peoria, IL 280 $53,420.00
Rockford, IL 250 $74,460.00
Springfield, IL 130 $65,720.00
Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area 240 $68,280.00
West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area 160 $62,210.00
East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area 380 $59,500.00
South Illinois nonmetropolitan area 90 $62,470.00
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in Illinois
The table below provides a comparison between income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in Illinois;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 5040 | $67,020.00 |
| Respiratory Therapists | 3310 | $54,040.00 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 1010 | $64,330.00 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 9070 | $29,070.00 |
| Surgical Technologists | 2600 | $42,230.00 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 1310 | $29,880.00 |
| Dental Assistants | 5550 | $36,050.00 |
| Medical Assistants | 12180 | $29,800.00 |
| Phlebotomists | 2590 | $30,770.00 |
***Page Updated October 2018***