Dental Assistant salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Dental Assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $48,950 a year ($23.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,490 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,150 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 1% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $48,610. There are 2.3 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,950 | $18.72 |
| 25th percentile | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Median | $48,950 | $23.53 |
| 75th percentile | $58,210 | $27.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,150 | $29.40 |
| Average (mean) | $50,370 | $24.22 |
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 | $4,079.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,039.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,882.69 |
| Weekly | $941.35 |
| Hourly | $23.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,950 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $52,830 | 160 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,590 | 2,440 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $49,100 | 1,500 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $48,970 | 2,200 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $48,920 | 80 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $48,730 | 190 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $48,670 | 630 |
| Kokomo, IN | $48,360 | 140 |
| Bloomington, IN | $48,170 | 130 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $48,120 | 2,990 |
| Evansville, IN | $48,000 | 300 |
| Decatur, IL | $47,770 | 60 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $47,770 | 360 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $47,410 | 380 |
| Peoria, IL | $47,280 | 300 |
| Columbus, IN | $47,260 | 120 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $47,120 | 180 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $46,750 | 190 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $46,450 | 110 |
| Bloomington, IL | $46,390 | 140 |
| Rockford, IL | $45,970 | 530 |
| Kankakee, IL | $45,610 | 60 |
| Muncie, IN | $45,500 | 140 |
| 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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,200 | $29.42 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $39,280 | $18.88 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,630 | $23.38 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,700 | $18.61 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $72,230 | $34.73 |
| Orderly | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $67,840 | $32.61 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,730 | $17.66 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $48,950 a year, or $23.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $61,150 a year. The top 25% earn $58,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,950 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $46,420 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 10,490 dental assistants are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.