Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Danville, IL: $22.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Danville, IL runs $22.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,773 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Danville's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,666 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Danville, Illinois, dental assistants earn a median hourly pay of $22.97, which is slightly below the national median of $23.84. This hourly rate reflects the financial landscape for part-time and per-diem dental assistants working in a variety of settings, such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and orthodontic practices. Entry-level professionals may start their careers at approximately $18.24 per hour, while top earners in the field can reach upwards of $28.12 hourly, highlighting a significant range based on experience and specialization. These figures are drawn from projected 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data, revealing how dental assistant hourly pay in Danville aligns within the broader context of dental services and practices in the area.
About the Danville 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) | $18.24 | $145.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.30 | $170.39 |
| Median (P50) | $22.97 | $183.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.05 | $216.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.12 | $224.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Danville
Based on $22.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.97/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Danville, IL can expect to earn approximately $47,776 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,563. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Danville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Danville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $918.77 | $3,981 | $47,776 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $551.26 | $2,389 | $28,666 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $367.51 | $1,593 | $19,110 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Danville) | $22.97 |
| 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 Danville, IL earn a median of $47,773 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.64% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.90% below the Illinois state average of $48,207.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.97/hr = $28,666/year (purchasing power: $29,522).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,776/year (purchasing power: $49,203).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Danville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Danville grew 19.9% from $18.57/hr (2019) to $22.27/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.69/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 Danville 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 Danville
Considering part-time work, a dental assistant clocking in at 24 hours per week might see an annual income far lower than their full-time counterparts, despite the competitive hourly rate in Danville. For those in per-diem positions, the pay can vary dramatically. Many per diem dental assistants charge between $22 and $35 per hour, with specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics potentially yielding $28 to $45 per hour. The pay can differ depending on the type of employer; solo practices, large DSOs like Heartland or Aspen, and specialty clinics all offer unique compensation structures. Dental assistants often evaluate the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates that provide health insurance. Negotiating effectively for the best pay and conditions is vital, particularly with the competition among temp agencies that connect workers to short-term placements, as these relationships can influence overall earnings in Danville.
More salary data for Danville, 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 Danville. 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 Danville 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