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 6% lower than the Indiana median and ranks 11th of 12 Indiana metros. It is about 9% lower than the national median.

Note: BLS figures reflect employed dentists. Many dentists own their practices, and owner earnings aren't included. That can make high-ownership areas read lower than you'd expect.

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin pay range vs. Indiana and the U.S.

Dentist annual wages: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs. Indiana vs. U.S. (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
PercentileMetro annualIndiana annualU.S. annual
10th percentile$123,920$81,370$86,250
25th percentile$124,800$123,420$125,710
Median$156,100$166,650$170,950
75th percentile$272,510$281,220$224,040
90th percentile$290,850$327,980$319,630
Mean (average)$192,460$195,140$191,350

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.[2] Gross wages for employees; excludes the self-employed. Comparisons in this page are DSO Hire calculations and are not adjusted for cost of living.

Employed in metro

5,910

About 257% of Indiana's total (calculation)

Per 1,000 jobs

1.31

Indiana: 0.72

Location quotient

1.64

1.00 = U.S. average; more concentrated than the national average

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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 Indiana?

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin runs about 6% lower than the Indiana state median for dentists. It ranks 11th of 12 Indiana 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.