Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Cicero, IL: $22.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Cicero, IL runs $22.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,677 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Cicero's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,009 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Cicero, Illinois, offers dental assistants an hourly median pay of $22.44, slightly below the national median of $23.84. This rate provides a solid foundation for part-time workers, for instance, those seeking to work three days a week can enjoy a flexible schedule while earning competitive wages. In various settings such as dental operatories, pediatric clinics, orthodontic offices, and oral surgery rooms, the hourly range for dental assistants extends from $17.51 at entry-level positions to $28.66 for those who reach the upper salary percentiles. With a projected growth rate of 3.14% for the profession, the potential for wage advancement exists, especially for those who pursue expanded function training or certifications like the DANB CDA.
About the Cicero Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.51 | $140.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.67 | $165.35 |
| Median (P50) | $22.44 | $179.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.98 | $215.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.66 | $229.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cicero
Based on $22.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.44/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cicero, IL can expect to earn approximately $46,682 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,932. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cicero.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cicero
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $897.73 | $3,890 | $46,682 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $538.64 | $2,334 | $28,009 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $359.09 | $1,556 | $18,673 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Cicero) | $22.44 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Cicero, IL earn a median of $46,677 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.85% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.20% below the Illinois state average of $48,220.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.44/hr = $28,009/year (purchasing power: $28,846).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,682/year (purchasing power: $48,076).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Cicero (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Cicero grew 19.9% from $18.14/hr (2019) to $21.76/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.15/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cicero metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Cicero
Examining part-time income, a dental assistant working 24 hours a week at the hourly median can take home around $29,000 annually versus full-time counterparts who earn significantly more. Per-diem dental assistants, on the other hand, often see variable pay rates ranging from $22 to $35, with specialty roles in oral surgery or orthodontics commanding between $28 and $45 per hour. The employment setting plays a crucial role in determining compensation: general dental practices, pediatric offices, and DSO chains like Heartland and Pacific Dental might offer different pay scales. Some dental assistants may choose lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others prefer higher hourly pay without additional perks. For those negotiating their dental assistant hourly pay in Cicero, highlighting specialized skills and exploring opportunities through temp agencies can enhance earning potential, especially in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Cicero, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Cicero. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cicero is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov