Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$58,000 vs $79,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$54,206 vs $42,473
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$47,607 vs $35,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $79,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,660 | $60,830▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,240 | $101,120▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $92,800 | $126,400▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 9.3% | -4.3500000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $54,206▲ | $42,473 | +$11,733 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $50,939 | $66,207▲ | -$15,268 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,607▲ | $35,595 | +$12,012 |
| Total Employment | 87,500 | 130,000 | -42,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $21,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $79,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($54,206 vs $42,473 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 9.3%).
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.