Dental Assistant Salary in Chicago, IL
Dental Assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $48,950 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,233 take-home, or $3,269 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median dental assistant salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,694
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,035
- Medicare (1.45%)$710
- Illinois income tax$2,278
- Take-home pay$39,233
Marginal rate: 12% 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 →
Dental Assistant pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,950 | $18.73 | $31,693 | $2,641 |
| 25th percentile | $46,420 | $22.32 | $37,325 | $3,110 |
| Median (50th) | $48,950 | $23.53 | $39,233 | $3,269 |
| 75th percentile | $58,210 | $27.99 | $46,215 | $3,851 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,150 | $29.40 | $48,432 | $4,036 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,950 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 dental assistant's $39,233 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,872 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Dental Assistant jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.93).
Best-paying cities for dental assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #28 of 36 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis, MN | $72,370 | $56,345 | $53,753 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $74,600 | $57,585 | $52,150 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $62,040 | $52,029 | $46,817 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $64,390 | $51,141 | $44,235 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $58,580 | $46,923 | $43,989 |
| 6 | Portland, OR | $59,890 | $45,891 | $43,531 |
| 7 | Cincinnati, OH | $49,590 | $41,444 | $43,456 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $48,190 | $39,573 | $42,762 |
| 28 | Chicago, IL | $48,950 | $39,233 | $37,872 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 36 metros →
About the job: dental assistants
Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.4% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Chicago, IL?
The median dental assistant salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $48,950 a year, or about $23.53 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,420 and $58,210.
What is a dental assistant’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $48,950 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $39,233 a year ($3,269 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,278 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $48,070. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,872 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #28 of 36 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a dental assistant 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) — 47% of a median dental assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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- Nursing Assistant — $46,940
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $38,180