Dental Assistant Salary in Joliet, IL: $47,913 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Joliet, IL earns a median $47,913/year (≈ $23.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $49,344 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Joliet, Illinois, dental assistants are projected to earn a median annual salary of $47,913 in 2026, which reflects a slightly lower figure compared to the national median of $49,579. The salary range in this area runs from $37,110 at the 10th percentile to $63,002 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating considerable potential for those in the field. These estimates, derived from the 2025 BLS state-level data and BEA Regional Price Parities, highlight how employment in group practices or DSO chains may offer more standardized pay scales when compared to the variability often seen in solo dental practices. As the job market evolves, understanding these dynamics is crucial for aspiring dental assistants in Joliet, especially as pressures from chains like Heartland and Aspen increase competition for top talent.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,030 | $21.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,913 | $23.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,521 | $28.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,002 | $30.29 |
Median Salary Position
3.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,892 (2026 est.). At $47,913, the local median is 3.36% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Joliet median: $47,913/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $48,202 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -3.36% less |
Dental Assistants in Joliet, IL earn a median of $47,913 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.36% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $48,202.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet 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.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $47,913 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,344 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$38,733
2025 BLS Actual
$46,454
2026 Current Est.
$47,913
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,733 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,796 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,313 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,975 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,378 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,454 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,913 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,417 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,733 (2019) to $46,454 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,417 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,684 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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) | $37,110 – $44,030 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,030 – $47,913 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,913 – $58,521 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,521 – $63,002 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Joliet
The local job market indicates the employment of 25 dental assistants in Joliet, contributing to a stable yet competitive environment. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, professionals in this field must consider how their take-home pay translates into purchasing power. Higher salaries may be found within specialty practices, such as oral surgery and orthodontics, as well as within DSO chains that may offer more incentives than smaller operations. The disparity between low and high salaries can be attributed to various factors, including the type of specialization, enhanced qualifications like EFDA credentials, and roles that combine dental assistance with treatment coordination. Those aiming to maximize their dental assistant pay in Joliet should focus on obtaining additional certifications, seeking positions in high-demand areas, and exploring opportunities within larger dental groups, which are becoming increasingly prominent in the market.
More salary data for Joliet, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Joliet, IL in 2026?
Is Joliet, IL a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Joliet?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Joliet?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Joliet?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $46,454 for dental assistantsin the Joliet 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 Joliet 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