Dental Assistant Pay

Lombard vs Springfield: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Lombard, IL
$46,726
$22.46/hr
Springfield, IL
$46,815
$22.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLombard, ILSpringfield, IL
Median Salary$46,726$46,815
Hourly Rate$22.46$22.51
Entry Level (P10)$35,373$36,357
25th Percentile$44,898$36,357
75th Percentile$56,493$50,270
Top Earner (P90)$59,807$61,502
Total Employed8360
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lombard ($46,726) and Springfield ($46,815) dental assistant salaries.LombardSpringfieldMedian Salary$46,726$46,815Entry Level (P10)$35,373$36,357Top Earner (P90)$59,807$61,502US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Lombard and Springfield is $89 (0.19%). 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 Lombard spans $24,434,Springfield spans $25,145. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Lombard
P10 (Entry)$35,373
P25$44,898
Median$46,726
P75$56,493
P90 (Top)$59,807
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 4.90% more than Lombard ($48,122 effective).

Lombard
Nominal: $46,726
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $48,122
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 Lombard 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 Lombard grew 4.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.7% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Lombard, IL

+4.7%

$43,279 (2024) → $45,303 (2025)

Springfield, IL

+29.7%

$35,000 (2019) → $45,390 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Lombard or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median dental assistant salary at $46,815/year, compared to Lombard at $46,726/year — a difference of $89 (0.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lombard and Springfield?

Lombard dental assistants earn $22.46/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $22.51/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lombard and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lombard = $48,122, Springfield = $50,477), job availability (8 vs 360 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $35,373 in Lombard and $36,357 in Springfield. The Springfield area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

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