Dental Assistant Salary in Gurnee, IL: $47,523 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Gurnee, IL earns a median $47,523/year (≈ $22.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Gurnee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $48,942 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gurnee, Illinois, dental assistants can expect a median annual salary of $47,523, which reflects a slightly lower compensation than the national median of $49,579 for 2026. The salary range for these positions spans from $37,313 at the 10th percentile to as high as $57,788 at the 90th percentile, indicating variance based on experience, specialization, and employment environment. Factors contributing to this wage difference often include whether the assistant works in a private practice or a larger dental support organization like Heartland or Aspen, where pay scales are typically more standardized. As Gurnee continues to develop its healthcare landscape, dental assistants will find opportunities to work in diverse settings, which can affect their earning potential.
About the Gurnee Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,313 | $17.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,755 | $21.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,523 | $22.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,606 | $26.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,788 | $27.79 |
Median Salary Position
4.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gurnee
In Gurnee, IL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,475 (2026 est.). At $47,523, the local median is 4.15% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gurnee: You'd be above the median
How Gurnee Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Gurnee median: $47,523/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gurnee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $48,246 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -4.15% less |
Dental Assistants in Gurnee, IL earn a median of $47,523 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.15% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $48,246.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gurnee 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.
Gurnee, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $47,523 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,942 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,417
2025 BLS Actual
$46,076
2026 Current Est.
$47,523
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,417 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,472 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,056 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,961 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,609 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,018 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,076 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,523 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,015 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gurnee metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,417 (2019) to $46,076 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,015 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,598 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gurnee 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) | $37,313 – $43,755 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,755 – $47,523 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,523 – $55,606 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,606 – $57,788 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Gurnee
Currently, Gurnee has around 8 dental assistants employed, underscoring a niche yet stable job market. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the purchasing power for dental assistants may feel more favorable than in many other regions, although it remains critical to consider how local salaries align with living expenses. Dental practices within the area, particularly those associated with DSO chains, often provide the highest salaries and additional benefits. Specialization can also have a significant impact; dental assistants with certifications, such as the EFDA, may command higher wages due to their advanced skills. To maximize pay, aspiring dental assistants in Gurnee, IL, should pursue qualifications that allow them to take on specialized roles or hybrid positions, such as treatment coordinators, thus capitalizing on the growing demand for multifaceted dental support professionals.
More salary data for Gurnee, 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 $46,076 for dental assistantsin the Gurnee 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 Gurnee 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