Dental Assistant Salary in Cicero, IL: $46,677 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Cicero, IL earns a median $46,677/year (≈ $22.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Cicero's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $48,071 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Cicero, IL, can expect a median annual salary of $46,677, placing them slightly below the national median of $49,579. The salary range for this role is projected to be between $36,427 at the lower end (P10) and $59,614 at the upper end (P90), indicating a significant variation based on experience, specialization, and employer type. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors. Dental assistants working in specialty practices, particularly in oral surgery or orthodontics, tend to command higher salaries, reflecting a premium for specialized skills and training. As the local job market develops, this dynamic creates opportunities for prospective dental assistants to negotiate competitive compensation based on their credentials and experience.
About the Cicero Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,427 | $17.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,986 | $20.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,677 | $22.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,113 | $26.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,614 | $28.66 |
Median Salary Position
5.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cicero
In Cicero, IL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,187 (2026 est.). At $46,677, the local median is 5.85% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cicero: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cicero Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Cicero median: $46,677/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cicero Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $48,220 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -5.85% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cicero 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.
Cicero, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $46,677 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,071 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,734
2025 BLS Actual
$45,256
2026 Current Est.
$46,677
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Cicero (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,734 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,769 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,397 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,196 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,816 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,234 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,256 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,677 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,143 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cicero metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $37,734 (2019) to $45,256 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,143 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,409 (27.59%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $36,427 – $42,986 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,986 – $46,677 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,677 – $56,113 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,113 – $59,614 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Cicero
When considering the local job market, only 21 dental assistants are currently employed in Cicero, IL, underscoring a relatively small yet dedicated workforce. The cost-of-living index in Cicero stands at 97.1, which suggests that while salaries are lower compared to national averages, employees still maintain reasonable purchasing power in their local economy. Among potential employers, specialty practices such as orthodontic and oral surgery offices generally offer higher compensation than typical general dental practices. Key drivers of salary variation include factors like whether the position is within a Dental Service Organization (DSO) or a private practice, recent advancements in expanded function authority (EFDA), and additional responsibilities like treatment coordination. For those looking to maximize their dental assistant pay in Cicero, pursuing EFDA credentials where legal may yield substantial returns, as well as seeking positions within higher-paying specialty practices to leverage specialized training.
More salary data for Cicero, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental assistants make $100K in Cicero?
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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 $45,256 for dental assistantsin the Cicero 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 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