Dental Assistants pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin

In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL), the median pay for dental assistants is $23.53 an hour ($48,950 a year). About 10,490 people work in this job there.

$23.53Median hourly pay
$46,420–$58,210Middle half of workers, yearly
10,490People in this job in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

That is 2% higher than the U.S. median ($48,070). It is about the same as the Illinois median ($48,610).

Pay range for dental assistants in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$18.72$38,950
25% of workers$22.32$46,420
Half of workers (median)$23.53$48,950
75% of workers$27.98$58,210
90% of workers$29.40$61,150

Dental Assistants pay in Illinois metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (this page)$48,95010,490
Decatur$47,77060
Peoria$47,280300
Champaign-Urbana$47,120180
Bloomington$46,390140
Rockford$45,970530
Kankakee$45,61060
Springfield$45,390360

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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

JobMedian yearly pay
Medical Assistants$47,270
Dental Hygienists$100,260
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$50,240
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$47,820
Surgical Technologists$66,360
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$50,010
Surgical Assistants$80,210
Dental Laboratory Technicians$51,380

Other job titles for this job

Dental NurseOral Surgery AssistantSurgical Dental AssistantCertified Dental AssistantCdaCertified Registered Dental AssistantDental AideDental AssistantDaDental Office AssistantDental SpecialistDentist Attendant

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Source: 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.