Dental Hygienist in Illinois

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IL. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$96,490

trending_up +2.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Illinois.

engineering

8,740

Jobs (IL)

monitoring Strong

+7.0%

10-yr job growth

payments

$100

Licensing fees

schedule

2 years

Time to complete

route How to become a dental hygienist in Illinois

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Illinois, applicants must complete a two-year dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA). The licensing body is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, and undergo a background check. Illinois also offers licensure by endorsement for those already licensed and practicing in other states with equivalent requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $64,010

25th percentile $78,480

50th (median) $96,490

75th percentile $98,440

90th (experienced) $99,660

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Illinois. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Illinois requirements

Licensing body	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program
Exam	National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA)
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Continuing education	36.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age 18. Requires Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Specific CE requirements for sexual harassment prevention (1 hour per cycle), implicit bias awareness (1 hour per cycle, starting January 1, 2023), and cultural competency (1 hour per cycle, starting with 2026 renewals). A clean background check is mandatory. Malpractice insurance is a requirement.

Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+7.0%

Faster than average

Annual openings

15,300

Nationwide per year

Total employment

221,600

Nationwide

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleIllinois license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+7.0%)

psychology

Wondering if a dental hygienist career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

How do I become a dental hygienist in Illinois? expand_more

To become a dental hygienist in Illinois, you need to complete the required education (Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program), pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA), and submit your application ($100 fee).

Is a dental hygienist license required in Illinois? expand_more

Illinois mandates state licensure for dental hygienists. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation oversees the process, which includes passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a regional clinical exam (ADEX, CRDTS, WREB, SRTA, CITA).

What is the average dental hygienist salary in Illinois? expand_more

Illinois dental hygienists bring home a median salary of $96,490. This is close to the national median of $94,260. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $64,010, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $99,660.

How many months or years does dental hygienist certification take in Illinois? expand_more

Most candidates in Illinois complete the process in 2 years, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

What are the continuing education requirements for dental hygienists in Illinois? expand_more

License renewal in Illinois requires completing 36.0 hours of continuing education on a 3.0-year cycle.

Explore more

Dental Hygienist overview

Requirements & salary in all 50 states

arrow_forward

All careers in Illinois

Compare certifications in IL

arrow_forward

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Illinois

Requirements & salary comparison

arrow_forward

Dental Assistant in Illinois

Requirements & salary comparison

arrow_forward

EMT in Illinois

Requirements & salary comparison

arrow_forward