Dental Assistant Pay

Berwyn vs Springfield: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Berwyn, IL and Springfield, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Berwyn, IL
$47,651
$22.91/hr
Springfield, IL
$46,815
$22.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBerwyn, ILSpringfield, IL
Median Salary$47,651$46,815
Hourly Rate$22.91$22.51
Entry Level (P10)$34,930$36,357
25th Percentile$45,048$36,357
75th Percentile$56,634$50,270
Top Earner (P90)$59,775$61,502
Total Employed12360
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Berwyn ($47,651) and Springfield ($46,815) dental assistant salaries.BerwynSpringfieldMedian Salary$47,651$46,815Entry Level (P10)$34,930$36,357Top Earner (P90)$59,775$61,502US Median $49,579

Verdict

Berwyn and Springfield are closely matched on overall dental assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Berwyn and Springfield is $836 (1.79%). Berwyn's median is -3.89% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Berwyn spans $24,845,Springfield spans $25,145. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Berwyn
P10 (Entry)$34,930
P25$45,048
Median$47,651
P75$56,634
P90 (Top)$59,775
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$36,357
P25$36,357
Median$46,815
P75$50,270
P90 (Top)$61,502

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($50,477 effective) pays 2.86% more than Berwyn ($49,074 effective).

Berwyn
Nominal: $47,651
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $49,074
Springfield
Nominal: $46,815
CoL Index: 92.745
Adjusted: $50,477

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Berwyn if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,651/year)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($61,502)
  • Larger job market (360 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,477)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Berwyn grew 4.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.7% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Berwyn, IL

+4.7%

$44,136 (2024) → $46,200 (2025)

Springfield, IL

+29.7%

$35,000 (2019) → $45,390 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Berwyn or Springfield?

Berwyn has a higher median dental assistant salary at $47,651/year, compared to Springfield at $46,815/year — a difference of $836 (1.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Berwyn and Springfield?

Berwyn dental assistants earn $22.91/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $22.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Berwyn to Springfield as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Berwyn and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Berwyn = $49,074, Springfield = $50,477), job availability (12 vs 360 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Berwyn vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $34,930 in Berwyn and $36,357 in Springfield. The Springfield area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH

Career Analyst

Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.14% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov