Dental Assistant Salary in Elmhurst, IL: $45,618 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Elmhurst, IL earns a median $45,618/year (≈ $21.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Elmhurst's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $46,980 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elmhurst, Illinois, the projected dental assistant salary for 2026 is $45,618 annually, which is notably lower when compared to the national average of $49,579. Local pay for dental assistants varies widely with a salary range from $36,516 at the 10th percentile to $56,294 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. The pay scale for dental assistants working at Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland Dental, which often standardizes wages across multiple locations, contrasts with the potentially more flexible pay options in solo practices. This combination of factors means that Elmhurst's dental assistant market reflects the broader shifts occurring in the industry while also revealing potential barriers to higher earnings.
About the Elmhurst Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,516 | $17.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,517 | $20.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,618 | $21.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,877 | $25.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,294 | $27.06 |
Median Salary Position
7.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elmhurst
In Elmhurst, IL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,778 (2026 est.). At $45,618, the local median is 7.99% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elmhurst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elmhurst Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Elmhurst median: $45,618/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elmhurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $48,222 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -7.99% less |
Dental Assistants in Elmhurst, IL earn a median of $45,618 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.99% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 5.40% below the Illinois state average of $48,222.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elmhurst 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.
Elmhurst, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $45,618 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,980 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,877
2025 BLS Actual
$44,229
2026 Current Est.
$45,618
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Elmhurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,877 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,890 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,571 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,239 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,821 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,253 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,229 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,618 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,050 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elmhurst metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $36,877 (2019) to $44,229 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,050 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,173 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elmhurst 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) | $36,516 – $42,517 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,517 – $45,618 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,618 – $53,877 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,877 – $56,294 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Elmhurst
The job market for dental assistants in Elmhurst is comparatively small, with only nine practitioners currently employed in the area. The local cost of living index stands at 97.1, indicating slightly lower living expenses than the national average, which can enhance purchasing power despite the lower salary figures. High-paying opportunities may arise within orthodontic practices, oral surgery centers, and pediatric dental offices, where specialized skills and expanded function credentials can command better pay. Factors such as the nature of the practice, whether it's offering general versus specialized dentistry, can lead to varying compensation—generally, those in specialized roles enjoy higher wages. For those seeking to maximize their income in Elmhurst, acquiring an EFDA credential and pursuing dual roles such as treatment coordinators could significantly boost earning potential, aligning with industry trends in DSO-driven environments.
More salary data for Elmhurst, 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 $44,229 for dental assistantsin the Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst 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