PayByState

Illinois · BLS SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistant salary in Illinois

Median $48,770 · Top 10% earn $62,980+ · Roughly 14,707 workers in Illinois. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Illinois median
$48,770
$23.45/hr
Top 10%
$62,980
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$34,100
Entry-level range
Real pay
$49,064
CoL-adjusted (RPP 99.4)

Illinois pays close to the U.S. median for dental assistants — $48,770 versus the national median of $47,350. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 14,707 dental assistants.

What drives dental assistant pay in Illinois

Illinois requires DA registration with IDFPR for radiography and expanded functions. Chicago corporate dental groups (Heartland, Aspen) employ a meaningful share.

Illinois ranks #18 of 50 states

Where Illinois sits in the national distribution for dental assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Illinois
#16 Nevada $49,240 +$470
#15 Rhode Island $49,720 +$950
#14 Colorado $50,190 +$1,420
#18 Illinois (this page) $48,770 —
#19 Delaware $47,820 −$950
#20 Arizona $46,880 −$1,890
#21 Maine $46,880 −$1,890
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Illinois

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (8–12 mo); on-the-job in some states, taking about 10 months. Tuition ranges from $1,000 (community college) to $12,000 (private accelerated). On the Illinois median of $48,770, payback periods are typically 0.7 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Illinois selected.

Dental Assistant salary in Illinois — FAQ

What is the average dental assistant salary in Illinois?
The median dental assistant salary in Illinois is $48,770 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $34,100; the top 10% earn $62,980 or more. About 14,707 people work in this role across the state.
How does Illinois dental assistant pay compare to the national average?
Illinois's median of $48,770 is $1,420 above the U.S. national median of $47,350. After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 99.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $49,064.
Is dental assistant a good career in Illinois?
On the data: Illinois employs roughly 14,707 dental assistants, with a median wage of $48,770 and the top decile clearing $62,980. The role is projected to grow +7% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental assistants in Illinois?
At the Illinois median of $48,770 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $23.45/hr. The top 10% earn around $30.28/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $16.39/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Illinois-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9091: Dental Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Illinois's RPP is 99.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.