Dental Assistant Salary in Oak Lawn, IL: $46,991 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Oak Lawn, IL earns a median $46,991/year (≈ $22.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Oak Lawn's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $48,394 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Lawn, Illinois, the projected dental assistant salary for 2026 is positioned at $46,991, reflecting a slight dip when compared to the national median of $49,579. The local salary spectrum ranges from $36,973 at the lower end (P10) to $60,631 at the top (P90), indicating significant variability depending on workplace settings. This discrepancy often arises between dental service organization (DSO) chains, which offer more standardized pay scales, and solo practices that may afford more flexibility in compensation. With estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected for 2026, these figures suggest that while Oak Lawn's dental assistants face an increasingly competitive landscape, the job market still holds promise for motivated professionals navigating their career paths in various dental settings.
About the Oak Lawn Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,973 | $17.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,615 | $20.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,991 | $22.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,860 | $27.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,631 | $29.15 |
Median Salary Position
5.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Lawn
In Oak Lawn, IL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,658 (2026 est.). At $46,991, the local median is 5.22% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Lawn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Lawn Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Oak Lawn median: $46,991/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Lawn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $48,245 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -5.22% less |
Dental Assistants in Oak Lawn, IL earn a median of $46,991 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.22% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $48,245.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Lawn 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.
Oak Lawn, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $46,991 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,394 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,987
2025 BLS Actual
$45,560
2026 Current Est.
$46,991
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Oak Lawn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,987 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,641 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,524 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,991 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,466 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Lawn metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $37,987 (2019) to $45,560 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,466 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,479 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Lawn 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) | $36,973 – $42,615 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,615 – $46,991 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,991 – $56,860 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,860 – $60,631 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Oak Lawn
The local job market indicates that 14 dental assistants are employed in Oak Lawn, a relatively modest number reflecting the community's dental care needs. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the take-home pay for dental assistants can stretch further than in higher-cost areas, offering a practical living standard. Among employers, DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen tend to compensate at the upper end of the pay spectrum, benefiting from their robust operational structures. Specialization also plays a crucial role in earnings; those in oral surgery or orthodontic practices typically earn more than their counterparts in general dentistry. To maximize pay in Oak Lawn's market, aspiring dental assistants are encouraged to consider obtaining EFDA certification, pursuing roles that combine healthcare coordination activities with dental assisting, and leveraging opportunities within established chains for career advancement.
More salary data for Oak Lawn, 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 $45,560 for dental assistantsin the Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn 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