Dental Laboratory Technician Salary in Chicago, IL
Dental Laboratory Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $51,380 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $41,065 take-home, or $3,422 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median dental laboratory technician salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,986
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,186
- Medicare (1.45%)$745
- Illinois income tax$2,399
- Take-home pay$41,065
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.
Dental Laboratory Technician pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,630 | $22.90 | $38,238 | $3,186 |
| 25th percentile | $51,380 | $24.70 | $41,065 | $3,422 |
| Median (50th) | $51,380 | $24.70 | $41,065 | $3,422 |
| 75th percentile | $51,380 | $24.70 | $41,065 | $3,422 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,140 | $32.28 | $52,884 | $4,407 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $51,380 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 laboratory technician's $41,065 take-home pay has the buying power of $39,640 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 1.4× the national concentration of dental laboratory technician jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for dental laboratory technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #9 of 13 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tampa, FL | $59,920 | $50,326 | $49,882 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $61,250 | $48,860 | $44,873 |
| 3 | Detroit, MI | $55,170 | $44,415 | $44,283 |
| 4 | Miami, FL | $59,940 | $50,342 | $44,100 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $58,160 | $46,368 | $41,193 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $50,700 | $40,909 | $40,885 |
| 7 | St. Louis, MO | $47,160 | $38,794 | $40,798 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $50,850 | $41,477 | $40,444 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $51,380 | $41,065 | $39,640 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 13 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental laboratory technician make in Chicago, IL?
The median dental laboratory technician salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $51,380 a year, or about $24.70 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $51,380 and $51,380.
What is a dental laboratory technician’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $51,380 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $41,065 a year ($3,422 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,399 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a dental laboratory technician?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $49,610. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $39,640 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #9 of 13 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a dental laboratory technician 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) — 45% of a median dental laboratory technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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