Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Crystal Lake, IL: $22.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Crystal Lake, IL runs $22.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,921 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Crystal Lake's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,559 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Crystal Lake, Illinois, the dental assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $22.08, slightly below the national average of $23.84. This rate offers a solid income for those considering part-time work; in a typical week with three days of shifts, dental assistants can expect to take home a competitive wage while engaging in varied settings like general dentistry operatories and orthodontic chair rows. With an hourly range stretching from $17.91 at entry-level positions to $28.30 for the most experienced practitioners, there is potential for growth within this field. These figures, projected for 2026 based on 2025 BLS data, reflect the demand for skilled dental assistants in Crystal Lake’s diverse dental practices, including oral surgery centers and pediatric specialist offices.
About the Crystal Lake 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) | $17.91 | $143.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.75 | $166.01 |
| Median (P50) | $22.08 | $176.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.72 | $213.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.30 | $226.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Crystal Lake
Based on $22.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.08/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Crystal Lake, IL can expect to earn approximately $45,931 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,499. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Crystal Lake.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Crystal Lake
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $883.29 | $3,828 | $45,931 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $529.97 | $2,297 | $27,559 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $353.32 | $1,531 | $18,372 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Crystal Lake) | $22.08 |
| 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 Crystal Lake, IL earn a median of $45,921 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.38% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.80% below the Illinois state average of $48,236.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.08/hr = $27,559/year (purchasing power: $28,382).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,931/year (purchasing power: $47,303).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Crystal Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Crystal Lake grew 19.9% from $17.85/hr (2019) to $21.41/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.78/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 Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake
For part-time dental assistants working 24 hours weekly, the annual take-home can be quite different compared to full-time roles, often making the per-hour pay more appealing. Per diem dental assistant pay in Crystal Lake can vary widely, ranging from $22 to $35 for general dental practices, with specialty roles in oral surgery and orthodontics commanding rates as high as $28 to $45 per hour. Various employer types influence hourly pay rates; while general practices may offer lower pay, pediatric and specialty clinics may compensate more generously. Furthermore, many dental assistants must weigh the benefits of securing employment that provides health insurance against the opportunity to earn higher hourly wages without benefits. For those entering negotiations, emphasizing skills and knowledge of local market standards can lead to better compensation outcomes in this evolving field across Illinois.
More salary data for Crystal Lake, 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 Crystal Lake. 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 Crystal Lake 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