Dentists, General Salary in Chicago, IL
Dentists, General in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $156,100 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $110,378 take-home, or $9,198 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median dentists, general salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$26,198
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,678
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,263
- Illinois income tax$7,582
- Take-home pay$110,378
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Dentists, General pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $123,920 | $59.58 | $89,976 | $7,498 |
| 25th percentile | $124,800 | $60.00 | $90,534 | $7,544 |
| Median (50th) | $156,100 | $75.05 | $110,378 | $9,198 |
| 75th percentile | $272,510+ | $131.01 | $184,610 | $15,384 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $290,850+ | $139.83 | $195,192 | $16,266 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $156,100 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median dentists, general's $110,378 take-home pay has the buying power of $106,548 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.6× the national concentration of dentists, general jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for dentists, general, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #7 of 8 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix, AZ | $194,180 | $139,942 | $135,451 |
| 2 | Dallas, TX | $179,990 | $134,289 | $130,264 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $190,010 | $131,309 | $116,654 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $163,390 | $117,927 | $114,990 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $184,540 | $124,684 | $114,511 |
| 6 | Miami, FL | $172,210 | $128,972 | $112,979 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $156,100 | $110,378 | $106,548 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $139,990 | $96,340 | $84,832 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 8 metros →
About the job: dentists, general
Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.7% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dentists, general make in Chicago, IL?
The median dentists, general salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $156,100 a year, or about $75.05 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $124,800 and $239,200+.
What is a dentists, general’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $156,100 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $110,378 a year ($9,198 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $7,582 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a dentists, general?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $170,950. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $106,548 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #7 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a dentists, general afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 17% of a median dentists, general’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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