Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Lake in the Hills, IL: $22.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Lake in the Hills, IL runs $22.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,164 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Lake in the Hills's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,292 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Lake in the Hills, Illinois, dental assistants can expect a median hourly pay of $22.67, which is slightly below the national median of $23.84. This rate translates well for both part-time and per-diem dental assistants, who typically work in environments such as general dentistry and pediatric clinics, orthodontics, and oral surgery. For instance, those working three days a week might find this hourly rate beneficial for balancing work and personal life, while per-diem workers may be drawn to flexible opportunities across various specialty practices. The hourly earnings for dental assistants in this area range from $17.49 for entry-level positions to as much as $29.37 for highly experienced practitioners, providing a clear pathway for professional growth and increased compensation over time.
About the Lake in the Hills 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) | $17.49 | $139.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.67 | $165.35 |
| Median (P50) | $22.67 | $181.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.34 | $210.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.37 | $234.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake in the Hills
Based on $22.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.67/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake in the Hills, IL can expect to earn approximately $47,154 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,204. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake in the Hills.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake in the Hills
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $906.81 | $3,929 | $47,154 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $544.08 | $2,358 | $28,292 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $362.72 | $1,572 | $18,862 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Lake in the Hills) | $22.67 |
| 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 Lake in the Hills, IL earn a median of $47,164 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.87% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.20% below the Illinois state average of $48,225.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.67/hr = $28,292/year (purchasing power: $29,137).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,154/year (purchasing power: $48,562).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Lake in the Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Lake in the Hills grew 19.9% from $18.33/hr (2019) to $21.98/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.38/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 Lake in the Hills 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 Lake in the Hills
Examining the potential earnings for a part-time dental assistant working 24 hours a week demonstrates that they could take home roughly $28,045 annually compared to a full-time dental assistant's earnings. Meanwhile, per diem dental assistant pay in Lake in the Hills ranges from $22 to $35 per hour, with those in specialized areas, such as oral surgery or orthodontics, earning between $28 and $45 per hour. Different employer types, including solo practices, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), and pediatric clinics, create diverse pay structures in the region. Additionally, dental assistants may face a trade-off between higher hourly pay without benefits and jobs offering lower rates with health insurance and paid time off. For those new to the field, practical negotiation strategies include researching average pay rates and highlighting specific skills or certifications, especially for those with expanded functions recognized by DANB, to secure a favorable compensation package.
More salary data for Lake in the Hills, 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 Lake in the Hills. 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 Lake in the Hills 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