Dental Assistant Salary in Carpentersville, IL: $47,022 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Carpentersville, IL earns a median $47,022/year (≈ $22.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Carpentersville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $48,426 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a dental assistant salary in Carpentersville, Illinois, is projected to reach a median of $47,022 annually. This figure represents a slight decrease when compared to the national median of $49,579, reflecting the local economic environment and the specific demands of the dental field in the region. Salaries for dental assistants in this area range from approximately $38,551 at the lower end to $60,762 for those in higher-paying positions. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, which considers local market conditions and cost adjustments. The enhanced responsibilities allowed for expanded function dental assistants (EFDAs) can further boost earning potential.
About the Carpentersville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,551 | $18.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,499 | $21.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,022 | $22.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,202 | $27.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,762 | $29.21 |
Median Salary Position
5.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carpentersville
In Carpentersville, IL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,211 (2026 est.). At $47,022, the local median is 5.16% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carpentersville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carpentersville Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Carpentersville median: $47,022/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carpentersville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $48,227 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -5.16% less |
Dental Assistants in Carpentersville, IL earn a median of $47,022 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.16% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.50% below the Illinois state average of $48,227.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carpentersville has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carpentersville, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $47,022 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,426 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,012
2025 BLS Actual
$45,590
2026 Current Est.
$47,022
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Carpentersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,012 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,055 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,665 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,508 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,139 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,553 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,022 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,498 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carpentersville metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,012 (2019) to $45,590 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,498 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,486 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carpentersville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,551 – $44,499 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,499 – $47,022 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,022 – $57,202 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,202 – $60,762 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Carpentersville
The local job market in Carpentersville currently employs around eight dental assistants, showcasing a limited yet stable demand for these professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the purchasing power for take-home pay is relatively favorable compared to many areas in the U.S. Among local employers, organizations like Heartland and Pacific Dental are known to offer competitive packages, particularly for dental assistants with specialized skills, such as those in oral surgery or orthodontics. The pay disparity in the area is largely driven by specialty roles, EFDA credentials, and opportunities for advancement in DSO chains that implement tiered pay scales. To maximize pay, dental assistants may consider obtaining further qualifications or seeking positions in high-demand specialties, alongside exploring opportunities to transition to roles like treatment coordinators or mentors within practices.
More salary data for Carpentersville, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $45,590 for dental assistantsin the Carpentersville metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Carpentersville 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