Dental Assistants pay in Illinois
In Illinois, the median pay for dental assistants is $23.37 an hour ($48,610 a year). About 13,740 people work in this job there.
That is about the same as the U.S. median ($48,070). Illinois ranks 20th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for dental assistants in Illinois
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.96 | $37,360 |
| 25% of workers | $19.42 | $40,390 |
| Half of workers (median) | $23.37 | $48,610 |
| 75% of workers | $27.34 | $56,860 |
| 90% of workers | $28.80 | $59,910 |
Dental Assistants pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $48,950 | 10,490 |
| Decatur | $47,770 | 60 |
| Peoria | $47,280 | 300 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $47,120 | 180 |
| Bloomington | $46,390 | 140 |
| Rockford | $45,970 | 530 |
| Kankakee | $45,610 | 60 |
| Springfield | $45,390 | 360 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for dental assistants
- Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +7.4% over ten years, faster than average · about 53,000 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistants | $46,090 |
| Dental Hygienists | $96,670 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $46,440 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,930 |
| Surgical Technologists | $64,650 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | $47,100 |
| Surgical Assistants | $80,210 |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | $51,380 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.