Dental Assistant salary in Illinois
Dental Assistants in Illinois earn a median of $48,610 a year ($23.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,910 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $48,070. Illinois ranks 20th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.3 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,360 | $17.96 |
| 25th percentile | $40,390 | $19.42 |
| Median | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| 75th percentile | $56,860 | $27.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Average (mean) | $48,990 | $23.56 |
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 | $4,050.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,025.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,869.62 |
| Weekly | $934.81 |
| Hourly | $23.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,610 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 cities in Illinois
| 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 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $47,120 | 180 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Massage Therapist | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $45,490 | $21.87 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,240 | $31.37 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| Orderly | $39,450 | $18.97 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,650 | $17.62 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for dental assistants in Illinois is $48,610 a year, or $23.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Illinois?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Illinois earn at least $59,910 a year. The top 25% earn $56,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,360 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $40,390 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Illinois?
About 13,740 dental assistants are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.