Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
The median dental assistant earns $48,950 a year in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro, with the middle half between $46,420 and $58,210.[1]
25th percentile
$46,420
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$48,950
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$58,210
Upper end of the middle half
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin runs about the same as the Illinois median and ranks 1st of 12 Illinois metros. It is about 2% higher than the national median.
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin pay range vs. Illinois and the U.S.
| Percentile | Metro annual | Illinois annual | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,950 | $37,360 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $46,420 | $40,390 | $44,340 |
| Median | $48,950 | $48,610 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $58,210 | $56,860 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $61,150 | $59,910 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $50,370 | $48,990 | $50,200 |
10,490
2.33
0.93
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Dental Assistant salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
The median dental assistant salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area is $48,950, with the middle half earning between $46,420 and $58,210 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $38,950 at the 10th percentile to $61,150 at the 90th.
Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin higher or lower than the rest of Illinois?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin runs about the same as the Illinois state median for dental assistants. It ranks 1st of 12 Illinois metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)
How does Chicago-Naperville-Elgin compare nationally?
Dental Assistant pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is about 2% higher than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)
How many dental assistants work in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area?
BLS estimates 10,490 dental assistants were employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 0.93, so the role is close to the national average.
Other Illinois metros