Dental Assistant Pay

Calumet City vs Springfield: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Calumet City, IL
$45,730
$21.99/hr
Springfield, IL
$46,815
$22.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCalumet City, ILSpringfield, IL
Median Salary$45,730$46,815
Hourly Rate$21.99$22.51
Entry Level (P10)$36,786$36,357
25th Percentile$42,756$36,357
75th Percentile$54,209$50,270
Top Earner (P90)$56,531$61,502
Total Employed7360
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Calumet City ($45,730) and Springfield ($46,815) dental assistant salaries.Calumet CitySpringfieldMedian Salary$45,730$46,815Entry Level (P10)$36,786$36,357Top Earner (P90)$56,531$61,502US Median $49,579

Verdict

Springfield, IL offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Calumet City.

The salary gap between Calumet City and Springfield is $1,085 (2.37%). Springfield's median is -5.57% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Calumet City spans $19,745,Springfield spans $25,145. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Calumet City
P10 (Entry)$36,786
P25$42,756
Median$45,730
P75$54,209
P90 (Top)$56,531
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 7.18% more than Calumet City ($47,096 effective).

Calumet City
Nominal: $45,730
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $47,096
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 Calumet City if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,815/year)
  • 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 Calumet City grew 4.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.7% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Calumet City, IL

+4.7%

$42,357 (2024) → $44,338 (2025)

Springfield, IL

+29.7%

$35,000 (2019) → $45,390 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Calumet City or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median dental assistant salary at $46,815/year, compared to Calumet City at $45,730/year — a difference of $1,085 (2.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Calumet City and Springfield?

Calumet City dental assistants earn $21.99/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $22.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Calumet City to Springfield as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Calumet City and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Calumet City = $47,096, Springfield = $50,477), job availability (7 vs 360 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $36,786 in Calumet City and $36,357 in Springfield. The Calumet City 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