Dental Assistant Salary in Lake in the Hills, IL: $47,164 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Lake in the Hills, IL earns a median $47,164/year (≈ $22.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Lake in the Hills's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $48,573 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake in the Hills, dental assistants can expect a median annual salary of $47,164 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $49,579. The salary range for this role in the area varies significantly, from $36,384 at the 10th percentile to $61,107 at the 90th percentile, indicating that advancement through specialty training, such as in orthodontics or oral surgery, can lead to higher earnings. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight the local market context and suggest that specializing can have a substantial impact on compensation in Lake in the Hills, IL.
About the Lake in the Hills Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,384 | $17.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,984 | $20.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,164 | $22.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,793 | $26.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,107 | $29.37 |
Median Salary Position
4.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake in the Hills
In Lake in the Hills, IL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,723 (2026 est.). At $47,164, the local median is 4.87% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake in the Hills: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake in the Hills Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Lake in the Hills median: $47,164/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake in the Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $48,225 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -4.87% less |
Dental Assistants in Lake in the Hills, IL earn a median of $47,164 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.87% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.20% below the Illinois state average of $48,225.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake in the Hills 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.
Lake in the Hills, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $47,164 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,573 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,127
2025 BLS Actual
$45,728
2026 Current Est.
$47,164
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Lake in the Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,127 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,174 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,776 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,636 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,273 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,685 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,728 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,164 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,645 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake in the Hills metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,127 (2019) to $45,728 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,645 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,518 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake in the Hills 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) | $36,384 – $42,984 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,984 – $47,164 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,164 – $54,793 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,793 – $61,107 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Lake in the Hills
With only six dental assistants currently employed in the area, the job market directs a keen eye towards the cost of living, which sits at a favorable index of 97.1. This indicates that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains robust for dental assistants. General dental practices, including larger chains like Heartland and Aspen, tend to offer competitive wages, yet orthodontic and oral surgery practices are known to provide the highest salaries in Lake in the Hills. Factors driving the disparity in pay include specialization in oral surgery or orthodontics, obtaining Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) credentials, and hybrid roles involving treatment coordination. For dental assistants looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing additional certifications and gaining experience in specialized settings can be strategic moves within this local market.
More salary data for Lake in the Hills, 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 $45,728 for dental assistantsin the Lake in the Hills 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 Lake in the Hills 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