Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$58,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$54,206 vs $43,210
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$47,607 vs $37,930
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $70,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,660 | $53,900▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,240 | $89,600▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $92,800 | $112,000▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $54,206▲ | $43,210 | +$10,996 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $50,939 | $61,446▲ | -$10,507 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,607▲ | $37,930 | +$9,677 |
| Total Employment | 87,500 | 105,000 | -17,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $12,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($54,206 vs $43,210 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 5%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.