Dental Assistant salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Dental Assistants in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn a median of $47,120 a year ($22.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,240 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 3% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $48,610. There are 1.7 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $47,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| 25th percentile | $42,570 | $20.47 |
| Median | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| 75th percentile | $56,550 | $27.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Average (mean) | $47,680 | $22.92 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,926.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,963.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,812.31 |
| Weekly | $906.15 |
| Hourly | $22.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $48,950 | 10,490 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $48,120 | 2,990 |
| Decatur, IL | $47,770 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $47,410 | 380 |
| Peoria, IL | $47,280 | 300 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $46,750 | 190 |
| Bloomington, IL | $46,390 | 140 |
| Rockford, IL | $45,970 | 530 |
| Kankakee, IL | $45,610 | 60 |
| Springfield, IL | $45,390 | 360 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $44,370 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $39,130 | $18.81 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,480 | $21.86 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,170 | $29.41 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $37,160 | $17.87 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,890 | $19.18 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,430 | $17.04 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,430 | $29.53 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $60,840 | $29.25 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area is $47,120 a year, or $22.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn at least $59,240 a year. The top 25% earn $56,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,090 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $42,570 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
About 180 dental assistants are employed in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.