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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Dental Assistant Salary in Illinois

Median Annual in Illinois
$48,610/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$23.37/hr
▲ 1% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Illinois

groups Employed in IL
13,740
public U.S. Median
$48,070
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$48,630 #32 of 50

Dental Assistant pay in Illinois, explained

Dental assistants in Illinois earn a median of $48,610 per year ($23.37 per hour), which is 1% above the national median of $48,070. Entry-level workers earn around $37,360, while the most experienced dental assistants reach about $59,910. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Illinois.

Is $48,610 good pay in Illinois?

Adjusted for Illinois's cost of living (which runs 100% of the U.S. average), that $48,610 is worth about $48,630 in national buying power — ranking Illinois #32 for real pay (vs #20 on the sticker number).

See the full Dental Assistant Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Dental Assistant pay by experience in Illinois

Entry level (10th pct)
$37,360
$17.96/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$48,610
$23.37/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$59,910
$28.80/hr

Dental Assistant pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IL
Illinois (here) $48,610 $48,630 —
Indiana $48,670 $52,149 −$60
Iowa $48,430 $55,183 +$180
Kentucky $47,730 $52,940 +$880
Wisconsin $47,520 $50,502 +$1,090
Missouri $45,970 $50,618 +$2,640

Dental Assistant in Illinois: FAQ

How much do dental assistants make in Illinois?

Dental assistants in Illinois earn a median of $48,610 per year ($23.37 per hour), compared with $48,070 nationally.

Does Illinois pay dental assistants well?

At $48,610, Illinois pays 1% above the national median for dental assistants. An estimated 13,740 work in the state.

Dental Assistant salary in other states

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 Vermont · $52,760 North Carolina · $50,380

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in Illinois

Dental Hygienist $96,670/yr median Medical Assistant $46,090/yr median Dentist $156,110/yr median