Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
The median dentist earns $156,100 a year in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro, with the middle half between $124,800 and $272,510.[1]
25th percentile
$124,800
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$156,100
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$272,510
Upper end of the middle half
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin runs about the same as the Illinois median and ranks 8th of 9 Illinois metros. It is about 9% lower 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 | $123,920 | $123,920 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $124,800 | $124,800 | $125,710 |
| Median | $156,100 | $156,110 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $272,510 | $272,510 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $290,850 | $291,530 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $192,460 | $193,050 | $191,350 |
5,910
1.31
1.64
For dental pros in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Build a free resume and get matched to practices that fit you.
Dentist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin: FAQ
How much do dentists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
The median dentist salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area is $156,100, with the middle half earning between $124,800 and $272,510 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $123,920 at the 10th percentile to $290,850 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 dentists. It ranks 8th of 9 Illinois metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)
How does Chicago-Naperville-Elgin compare nationally?
Dentist pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is about 9% lower than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)
How many dentists work in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area?
BLS estimates 5,910 dentists were employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 1.64, so the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Other Illinois metros